History
Fire and Rescue NSW asks its people to run toward what everyone else runs from, and its honours ladder recognises the degrees of that courage: the Medal for Conspicuous Bravery at the summit, for exceptional bravery in firefighting or emergency operations on or off duty, and beneath it this award, the Commendation for Courageous Action, made to an individual for an act of courage that is worthy of special recognition.
It belongs to the service's own recognition scheme alongside the Commendation for Meritorious Service and the unit commendations for crews whose collective actions distinguished them in exceptionally difficult and dangerous situations. Like all Fire and Rescue NSW honours it sits outside the national system, in which the same act may separately be considered for the Australian bravery decorations.
Design & ribbon
The medal
Fire and Rescue NSW does not publish a formal design description for the commendation as worn; the pattern supplied is the current issue, and the photographs above show it.
The ribbon
The current Fire and Rescue NSW issue.
The ribbon follows the pattern of the current issue, shown above.
Eligibility
The commendation is awarded to an individual for an act of courage that is worthy of special recognition.
- It sits within the Fire and Rescue NSW honours suite, below the Medal for Conspicuous Bravery and alongside the Commendation for Meritorious Service;
- Collective courage is recognised by the Unit Commendation for Courageous Action;
- The award 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 FRNSW Commendation for Courageous Action awarded for?
An act of courage by an individual that is worthy of special recognition, within Fire and Rescue NSW's own honours scheme.
How does it relate to the Medal for Conspicuous Bravery?
The medal is the service's highest bravery honour, for exceptional bravery in firefighting or emergency operations on or off duty; the commendation recognises courage below that threshold.
What about crews?
The Unit Commendation for Courageous Action recognises groups who distinguished themselves together in exceptionally difficult and dangerous situations.
Can the same act earn a national decoration?
Yes. Acts of courage may also be considered for the Australian bravery decorations through the national system.
Who was Fire and Rescue NSW before 2011?
The NSW Fire Brigades: the organisation was renamed in January 2011, and its honours carry the current name.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.