AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL MINIATURE REPRODUCTION

The Australian Fire Service Medal recognises distinguished service by members of Australian fire services. It is awarded to paid and volunteer members.

The Australian Fire Service Medal is one of six meritorious awards in the Australian honours system.

It acknowledges distinguished service by members of:

a state or territory fire service

a fire service of an agency of the Commonwealth, and

the fire services of the External Territories of Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Island and Norfolk Island.

The Australian Fire Service Medal was established on 12 April 1988 by Letters Patent.

The Australian Fire Service Medal is awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the responsible Commonwealth, state and territory ministers.

Each year the following awards may be made:

one award for each 1,000, or part of 1,000, full-time permanent members of the fire service or combined fire services (as the case may be) of that State serving on 30 June in the year immediately preceding that calendar year;

one award for each 5,000, or part of 5,000, part-time, volunteer or auxiliary members of the fire service or combined fire services (as the case may be) of that State serving on 30 June in the year immediately preceding that calendar year; and one additional award.

one award of the Medal shall be made in each calendar year in respect of the fire services or combined fire services (as the case may be) in each of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory of Australia.

one award of the Medal shall be made in each calendar year in respect of a Commonwealth fire service, and

an occasional award (not exceeding one per calendar year) may be made in respect of

the fire service of an External Territory as determined by the responsible Minister.