With a parade of honks, sirens and signs, Spokane’s first responders visited several hospitals Tuesday afternoon, cheering and thanking health care workers for their service.

Health care workers, who lined the streets at every stop, said they were grateful for the camaraderie that had grown around them, and appreciated the encouragement from their peers.

Julie Bronson, an ultrasound technologist who waved at passing firefighters and police in front of Holy Family Medical Center, said she appreciated the show of support from fire, police and ambulance workers, who have been under stress just like health care workers.

“It’s very cool to have that mutual respect and see everybody out there just trying to do the right thing,” Bronson said.

Jamie McIntyre, a community risk reduction manager for the Spokane Fire Department, said she was pleasantly surprised when rounding the corner to the hospitals. She said it was a chance for them to pause their normal work and recognize each other.

“Everything’s so different now, it was really nice to pause, look at each other and wave and say, ‘I see you,’ ” she said. “Each day, we’re going to take it one day at a time and we’ll get there.”

The event included a parade of emergency vehicles decorated with festive signs that passed Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, MultiCare Deaconess Hospital, Providence Holy Family Hospital and the Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dozens of police officers, firefighters and a few ambulance workers yelled encouragement to hospital workers. Hospital workers, some of whom had brought their own signs, often returned the acknowledgment.

McIntyre said the city did not invite the public because it did not want to encourage public gatherings or violate the stay-home order. All of the participants watching or joining were essential workers who are out in the public working in safety or health care.

David Heizer, a battalion chief for the Spokane Fire Department, said health care workers are likely going through many of the same challenges as firefighters and EMS workers – family complications, having children home while parents work, and extra stress from the additional hours and risk.

“They’re doing the same thing. They show up, they have an essential job, they can’t miss a day,” he said. “Somebody has to show up and say, ‘Thank you.’ ”

Teresa Wood and her 17-month-old grandson Dakota were among those lined up to cheer on passing fire trucks, police cars and ambulances. Wood, an ER nurse who works the night shift, said she drove her grandson down from the Mount Spokane area so he could see a parade and firetrucks while she watched the festivities.

“I should be sleeping right now, but I drove 45 minutes in just so I could watch this,” she said.

Wood said she and her grandson were supposed to watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade before it was canceled, so this was a good alternative while supporting first responders.

“I feel like we need to be thanking them, too,” she said. “They get our patients prepared and here safe to let us do our jobs. They’re all amazing.”