Crossword Genius

Sack soldiers and get first responders (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

firemen

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'first responders' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'sack soldiers' is the wordplay.
'sack' becomes 'fire' (both can mean to dismiss from a job).
'soldiers' becomes 'men' (men can mean a group of soldiers).
'fire'+'men'='FIREMEN'

'and get' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for firemen that I've seen before include "Hose wielder" , "Stokers" , "They fight conflagrations" , "Their job is to extinguish conflagrations" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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