AFSM Award
About the Australian Fire Service Medal Award
The Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) recognises distinguished service by members of Australian fire services.
It is awarded to career or volunteer, part time or full time members of:
• A State or Territory Fire Service
• A Fire Service of an agency of the Commonwealth
• Fire Services of the External Territories or Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Island and Norfolk Island
Who is eligible?
Career or volunteer members of one of the following Western Australian fire services – either a current or retired member (no more than 12 months since retirement) may be nominated for an AFSM:
• Bush Fire Service
• Fire and Rescue Service
• Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
• Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
• Fire Services Division of the Department of Parks and Wildlife Nominees must also have recent frontline service with prolonged exposure to hazard in the service of the community.
How is it awarded?
The AFSM is awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Emergency Services. Recipients of the AFSM are announced on the Australia Day Honours List in January and the King's Birthday Honours List in June each year. They are entitled to use the letters ‘AFSM’ after their names to show that their outstanding service has being recognised. The recipient is only awarded once and the AFSM is not awarded posthumously.
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Medal design
The AFSM is a circular copper nickel medal. It is ensigned with the Crown of St Edward. The front of the medal displays an image of the Queen superimposed over a seven-pointed star of flames. The back of the medal is inscribed with the words ‘Australian Fire Service Medal’, and ‘For Distinguished Service’ on a background of flames. The 32 millimetre wide ribbon has a central vertical band of gold, which is superimposed with a red pattern symbolising flames. The two outer vertical bands are green.
What is the medal awarded for?
To be considered for the AFSM, the nominee needs to have made a significant contribution with prolonged exposure to hazards, had significant deployments, or implemented innovative programs.
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Preparing a nomination
When preparing an AFSM nomination please address the following three criteria.
1. Previous operational/frontline roles the nominee has held in the organisation.
2. Description of the operational/frontline service the nominee is currently/has recently undertaken, which makes them eligible.
3. Outline the significant or outstanding contribution the nominee has made to the organisation through:
• Prolonged exposure to a hazard or demonstration of exceptional skills in one or more emergency incidents;
• Significant deployments in emergency situations; and/or
• Implementation and facilitation of programs or innovations that directly supports and provides enduring benefit for frontline personnel.
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Download the nomination guide and forms here:
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Supporting Nomination Information
In addition to the criteria, also consider the following points for inclusion in the AFSM nomination.
• What makes the nominee stand out above all others.
• Any training, education or professional development undertaken.
• Include any additional memberships with other affiliated or non-affiliated volunteer or community organisations that helps promote a better image of the nominee.
• Include two written references that attest to the nominee’s recent operational/frontline service. When referring to a particular incident or example of distinguished service, please include the perils and challenges that were faced and how they were overcome, and the level of danger involved.
Submitting Your Nomination
Completed nominations can be submitted at any time throughout the year:
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Post
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Honours and Awards Officer
PO Box P1174 Perth WA 6844
Please mark the nomination ‘Confidential’.
An acknowledgement will be forwarded to the nominator once the nomination has been received. All completed nominations will be treated as confidential.
Need Assistance?
If you have any further enquiries or require assistance with the preparation of your nomination, please email the Honours and Awards Officer at rewards@dfes.wa.gov.au.
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Further Information
More information about the Australian Fire Service Medal is available on the It’s an Honour website.
As Volunteer Firefighters we do WHAT We Can, WHEN We Can, WHERE We Can, To The VERY BEST of Our Ability.