History
Western Australia's Bush Fire Service is its oldest volunteer firefighting tradition: brigade members who perform fire suppression, prevention and risk management for their communities, managed through the state's local governments with DFES's Rural Fire Division alongside. Their long service recognition runs in two streams. DFES awards the Bush Fire Service medallions at five and ten years of diligent service, and the longer recognition, the medals and clasps of a bushfire career, is administered through the volunteer associations and the local governments that manage the brigades.
Across all its services DFES also presents a framed sixty year medal and certificate for the rarest careers, and BFS decades count toward the National Medal at fifteen years within the Australian system. With more than 26,000 volunteers across the DFES family, the Bush Fire Service's brigades remain the backbone of the state's rural fire cover, and the Murray Lang Bush Fire Service of WA Award honours its standouts each year.
Design & ribbon
The medal
A single formal design is not published for Bush Fire Service long service insignia, which is issued across the DFES, association and local government streams; the pattern supplied is the current issue, and the photographs above show it.
The ribbon
The current Bush Fire Service issue.
The ribbon follows the pattern of the current issue, shown above.
Clasps
Long bushfire service beyond the DFES medallions is recognised through the associations and local governments that manage the brigades.
10 Years
Awarded for ten years of eligible volunteer bush fire service.
15 Years
Awarded for fifteen years of eligible volunteer bush fire service.
20 Years
Awarded for twenty years of eligible volunteer bush fire service.
25 Years
Awarded for twenty-five years of eligible volunteer bush fire service.
30 Years
Awarded for thirty years of eligible volunteer bush fire service.
Eligibility
The recognition covers long service by volunteers of the WA Bush Fire Service.
- All active registered members of a bush fire brigade, including support members, are eligible: DFES awards medallions at five and ten years of diligent service;
- Subsequent long service awards, including the medals and clasps of longer careers, are administered through the volunteer associations and local governments, which hold the applicable conditions;
- The recognition sits outside the national honours system and carries no post-nominal.
Order of wear
Bush Fire Service long service recognition runs in two streams: DFES awards the five and ten year medallions, with subsequent long service awards administered through the volunteer associations and local governments that manage the brigades. Wear follows the issuing body's guidance, separate from the national honours, and on civilian racks the insignia is mounted apart from the official awards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the WA Bush Fire Service Medal awarded for?
Long service by volunteers of WA's bush fire brigades. DFES awards medallions at five and ten years of diligent service, with subsequent long service awards administered through the volunteer associations and local governments.
Why two streams of recognition?
WA's bush fire brigades are managed by their local governments, so the longer service tradition belongs to the associations and shires, while DFES starts the count with its medallions.
Who is eligible?
All active registered members of a bush fire brigade, including support members.
Does bushfire service count toward national awards?
Yes. Fifteen years of diligent service can earn the National Medal within the Australian honours system, and DFES presents a framed sixty year medal and certificate for the longest careers.
How is it worn?
In accordance with the issuing body's guidance, separate from the national honours, and as a distinct group on civilian racks.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.