History
ACT Fire and Rescue is the career fire service of the capital, and around its professional core stands a body of volunteers whose years the service marks with this medal: the ACT Fire and Rescue Volunteer Long Service Medal, awarded at ten years of volunteer service. At the ACT Emergency Services Agency's long service ceremonies its recipients have been recognised sixty at a time, a measure of how much of the capital's fire cover rests on freely given hours.
The medal belongs to the ESA's family of long service awards, alongside those of the ACT Ambulance Service, the ACT Rural Fire Service, the ACT State Emergency Service and the agency's own staff, all presented together and all running on the same ten year rhythm.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The agency does not publish a formal design description for the medal; the pattern supplied is the current issue, and the photographs above show its obverse and reverse.
The ribbon
The current ACT Fire and Rescue issue.
The ribbon follows the pattern of the current issue, shown above.
Eligibility
The medal recognises long service by volunteers of ACT Fire and Rescue.
- It is awarded at ten years of volunteer service;
- Awards are presented at the ACT Emergency Services Agency's long service ceremonies;
- The medal sits outside the national honours system and carries no post-nominal.
Order of wear
Agency and state emergency service awards do not form part of the Australian honours system. They are worn separately from the national honours in accordance with the issuing agency's dress policy, and on civilian racks they are mounted as a distinct group apart from the official awards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ACT Fire and Rescue Volunteer Long Service Medal awarded for?
Ten years of volunteer service with ACT Fire and Rescue, the capital's fire service.
How does it relate to the ACT Rural Fire Service medal?
They honour different services: ACT Fire and Rescue covers the urban area, while the ACT Rural Fire Service's brigades cover the Territory beyond, each with its own long service medal.
Who presents it?
The ACT Emergency Services Agency, at the long service ceremonies where all its services' medals are awarded together.
Does volunteer service count toward national awards?
Yes. Fifteen years of eligible service can earn the National Medal within the Australian honours system.
How is it worn?
Separately from the national honours, in accordance with the agency's dress policy, and as a distinct group on civilian racks.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.