History
The Australian Fire Service Medal was introduced in 1988 to recognise distinguished service by members of Australian fire services. From the beginning it has belonged to the volunteers as much as the professionals: the quota provides one medal a year for every thousand full time members of each service and one for every five thousand part time, volunteer or auxiliary members, with additional provision for a Commonwealth fire service and the external territories.
Its recipients are the brigade captains, trainers, incident controllers and forty year stalwarts of the country fire services and the metropolitan brigades, recognised by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the responsible ministers and announced in the Australia Day and King's Birthday honours lists. A person may receive the medal only once.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Australian Fire Service Medal is cupro-nickel, the obverse bearing the Sovereign's effigy over a seven pointed star of flames. The reverse carries the inscription For Distinguished Service at the centre amid rising flames, within the words Australian Fire Service Medal.
The ribbon
Gold overlaid with red flames, bordered in green.
The 32 millimetre ribbon has a central vertical band of gold superimposed with a red pattern symbolising flames, bordered in green.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the responsible Commonwealth, state and territory ministers, for distinguished service by members of Australian fire services, paid and volunteer.
- The annual quota is one medal for every 1,000, or part of 1,000, full time permanent members of a state or territory fire service, and one for every 5,000, or part of 5,000, part time, volunteer or auxiliary members;
- One medal may be made in respect of a Commonwealth fire service, and one for the fire service members of the combined external territories;
- Awards are announced each January and June, only one award may be made to an individual, and recipients are entitled to the post-nominal AFSM.
Order of wear
The medal is worn among the Australian distinguished service medals for the police, fire, ambulance, emergency and correctional services, after the decorations and before the Imperial gallantry medals. The precise neighbours should be confirmed against the current Australian Order of Wear.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Australian Fire Service Medal awarded for?
Distinguished service by members of Australian fire services. It is awarded to paid and volunteer members alike.
How are volunteers counted?
The quota provides one medal for every 5,000 part time, volunteer or auxiliary members of each service, alongside one for every 1,000 full time members, so the volunteer brigades have their own share of each year's awards.
How are recipients chosen?
Each jurisdiction nominates through its responsible minister, and the Governor-General makes the awards, announced in the Australia Day and King's Birthday honours lists.
Can I receive it twice?
No. Only one award may be made to an individual.
What do the ribbon colours mean?
The central gold band carries a red pattern symbolising flames, bordered in green.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes: AFSM.