History
The Australian Capital Territory government established this medal after the January 2003 Canberra bushfires, to recognise the uniformed emergency and response personnel who served the community in dangerous circumstances during a significant emergency. It was first awarded for the firefighting and recovery effort of those fires, and later extended to the bushfires of the 2019 to 2020 summer.
It is awarded with a clasp naming the emergency for which it was earned. To qualify a member must have completed at least eight hours of duty in the response, primarily in the suppression of the fires or the protection and evacuation of the community. It is a Territory award, not part of the national honours system, and is worn on the right breast.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is issued by the Australian Capital Territory government. Its design and specifications are set by the Territory and should be confirmed from the issuing authority or the medal supplier before publication.
The ribbon
Orange with a pale gold and light blue centre.
The ribbon is a broad orange field with a central band of pale gold carrying a fine light blue centre stripe, the orange recalling the fires the medal marks.
Clasps
The medal is awarded with a clasp naming the declared emergency for which it was earned; a member who served in more than one qualifying emergency may hold more than one clasp.
ACT Emergency Services Medal 2003 Medal Clasp
The clasp for service in the January 2003 Canberra bushfires, the emergency for which the medal was first established, covering qualifying duty between 8 and 19 January 2003.
ACT Emergency Services 2020 Medal Clasp
The clasp for service in the bushfires of the 2019 to 2020 summer, covering qualifying duty between 2 January and 9 February 2020.
Eligibility
The medal recognises service in a declared emergency in the Australian Capital Territory.
- It is awarded to uniformed emergency and response personnel, including the fire, ambulance and state emergency services and police who served;
- At least eight hours of qualifying duty in the response is required, primarily in fire suppression or the protection and evacuation of the community;
- A clasp names the emergency; the qualifying periods are 8 to 19 January 2003 and 2 January to 9 February 2020;
- As a Territory award it is not part of the national system and is worn on the right breast at official ACT functions.
Order of wear
This is a state or territory award, not part of the Commonwealth honours system or its Order of Wearing. By convention such awards are worn on the right breast at official functions of the issuing government, and not among the Commonwealth awards on the left.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ACT Emergency Medal?
A medal of the Australian Capital Territory government, established after the 2003 Canberra bushfires to recognise service in a declared emergency in the Territory.
Who is eligible?
Uniformed emergency and response personnel, including fire, ambulance, state emergency service and police who served in a declared emergency.
What is the qualifying service?
At least eight hours of duty in the response, primarily in fire suppression or the protection and evacuation of the community.
What do the clasps mean?
A clasp names the emergency for which the medal was earned; the qualifying periods are the January 2003 fires and the 2019 to 2020 summer fires.
Is it a national award?
No. It is a Territory award, not part of the national honours system, and is worn on the right breast at official ACT functions.
What are its ribbon colours?
A broad orange ribbon with a central pale gold band carrying a fine light blue stripe.