History
Commissioned to acknowledge diligent and ethical service by uniformed officers of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, the Diligent and Ethical Service Medal was the fire service's career recognition before the QFES era: awarded to uniformed Fire Officers and Fire Communications Dispatch Officers for ten years of service, with a clasp for each subsequent decade.
The medal is no longer conferred, superseded by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Medal, but it lives on in an unusual way: its clasps continue to be awarded, presented at the fire service's ceremonies to holders whose commitment to ethics and integrity has run past each further ten year mark. A medal closed to newcomers, still counting for its veterans.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The service 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 Queensland Fire and Rescue Service issue.
The ribbon follows the pattern of the current issue, shown above.
Clasps
Clasps continue to be awarded to existing holders at each further decade of service.
Eligibility
The medal recognised diligent and ethical service by uniformed members of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.
- A minimum of ten years of service as a uniformed Fire Officer or Fire Communications Dispatch Officer was required;
- The medal is no longer conferred, but clasps for each subsequent ten years of service continue to be awarded to existing holders;
- 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 Diligent and Ethical Service Medal awarded for?
Ten years of diligent and ethical service by uniformed Fire Officers and Fire Communications Dispatch Officers of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.
Is it still awarded?
The medal itself is no longer conferred, but its clasps continue to be awarded to existing holders at each further ten years of service.
What replaced it?
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Medal, on the same ten year structure with ten year clasps.
Who might have it on a rack?
Firefighters and dispatchers whose careers began in the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service era, before QFES's formation in 2013.
Does fire service count toward national awards?
Yes. Fifteen years of eligible service can earn the National Medal within the Australian honours system.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.