Meritorious Service Awards

Meritorious awards recognise outstanding and distinguished service by public servants, members of an Australian police force, fire, ambulance, corrections, intelligence or emergency service, or in support of outstanding work with an Australian Antarctic expedition. There are two awards that relate to firefighting in addition to the Australian Bravery Decorations.

AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL

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.

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.

Preparing a nomination

Read the nomination guidelines here:

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. Head to the website.

EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL

About the Award

The Emergency Services Medal (ESM) recognises distinguished service by members of emergency services across Australia, and people who are involved in emergency management, training or education.

It is awarded to career or volunteer, part-time or full time members of:

• A State or Territory Emergency Service

• Defence Force

• Emergency 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 services – either a current member or a retired member (no more than 12 months since retirement) may be nominated for an ESM:

• State Emergency Service

• Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services

• Volunteer Marine Rescue Services

• Defence Force remunerated officer of the Commonwealth

• Surf Life Saving Western Australia Nominees must also have recent frontline service with prolonged exposure to hazard in the service of the community.

How is it awarded?

The ESM is awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Emergency Services. Recipients of the ESM 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 ‘ESM’ after their names to show that their outstanding service has being recognised. The recipient is only awarded once and the ESM is not awarded posthumously.

Medal Design

The ESM is a circular silver and bronze medal. The central motif is a raised equilateral triangle with bevelled edges. This is bordered by stylised sprays of wattle. The centre of the triangle features a raised impression of the Federation Star that is surrounded by 24 balls. The balls represent the 24 hours per day the Emergency Service is available to the community. The back of the medal has the inscription ‘For Distinguished Service’. The 32 millimetre wide ribbon features a centre band of an orange and white checkerboard pattern, flanked on each outer edge by a royal blue band.

What is the medal awarded for?

To be considered for the ESM, the nominee needs to have made a significant contribution with prolonged exposure to hazards, had significant deployments, or who has given distinguished service in relation to emergency management, training or education.

Preparing a nomination

Read the nomination guidelines here:

Supporting nomination information

In addition to the criteria, also consider the following points for inclusion in the ESM 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.

Submitting your nomination

Nominations can be submitted online at any time. Head to the website.

AUSTRALIAN BRAVERY DECORATIONS

About the Award

The Australian Bravery Decorations recognise acts of bravery by people whose selfless actions put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others.

There are four levels of awards for individuals, as well as an award to recognise the bravery of a group of people involved in a single incident.

• Cross of Valour – for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril

• Star of Courage – for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril

• Bravery Medal – for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances

• Commendation for Brave Conduct – for acts of bravery considered worthy of recognition

The group award is known as the Group Bravery Citation. It is awarded for a collective act of bravery, by a group of persons in extraordinary circumstances, that is considered worthy of recognition.

Who is eligible?

• Australian Citizens

• A person who is a citizen of another country and who carries out an act that may be considered worthy of recognition by Australia and in Australia’s interest.

The brave act does not need to occur in Australia, provided it is considered worthy of recognition by Australia and in Australia’s interest.

How is it awarded?

Nominations for Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) career personnel or volunteer members are considered by the DFES Honours and Awards Advisory Panel. Nominations considered worthy by the Panel are then put forward to the Australian Bravery Decorations Council who make final recommendations to the Governor-General on awarding of Australian Bravery Decorations. Recipients of Australian Bravery Decorations are announced by the Governor-General in March and August. They are entitled to use the relevant post nominals after their names to show that their bravery has being recognised. Awards may be made posthumously and presented to the next of kin.

Medal Design

The Cross of Valour (gold), Star of Courage (silver) and Bravery Medal (bronze) each have ribbons of different combinations of magenta and blood-red, symbolising the colours of venous and arterial blood. The Commendation for Brave conduct is mounted on a ribbon of plain arterial red colour. The Group Bravery Citation is a device which has a raised bronze sprig of wattle, centrally positioned on a silver rectangle.

What is the medal awarded for?

Australian Bravery Decorations recognise people who, without thought of personal risk, displayed courage and bravery to protect or defend others. Acts involving the preservation of life, for example f irst aid, while admirable, may not be considered brave.

Preparing a nomination

When preparing an Australian Bravery Decorations nomination the following information is required:

• Description of the incident, including date, time and location of the incident

• Conditions of the incident (particularly if unusual or dangerous)

• Summary of the rescue efforts, including any elements of risk to the rescuer

• Actions of the person you are nominating, and the reasons why you consider he or she should receive special recognition by the award of an Australian Bravery Decoration.

• If available, details of persons/eyewitnesses who are able to make direct comment on the incident.

• If available, photographs of the incident or of the place where it occurred. Additionally, any media articles and web links that provide further information and details of the incident.

Read the nomination guidelines here:

Submitting your nomination

Nominations can be submitted at any time throughout the year. Nominations received before April of a given year will be considered for the March Bravery List of the following year. Similarly, nominations received before October of a given year will be considered for the August Bravery List of the following year.

To submit a nomination head to the website.

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.Please note Tony Dodd and Trevor Jones from the Association Executive Committee are always happy to help with nominations, please email us to get in contact.