Overview

The Australian Fire Service Medal Determination 2023, as enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, revokes the previous Australian Fire Service Medal Determination from 1991. This determination was made to update the design and specifications of the Australian Fire Service Medal, its associated insignia, and the rules regarding its wear and order, aligning them with current standards and practices within the Australian honours system. The Australian Fire Service Medal, established under the Letters Patent approved by The Sovereign, is awarded for distinguished service and recognises the contributions of individuals within the fire service sector. The policy objective of this determination is to ensure that the design and wearing of the medal reflect the high standards of the Australian honours system, thereby maintaining the prestige and recognition associated with such an award.

Scope and Application

The Australian Fire Service Medal Determination governs the design and specifications of the Australian Fire Service Medal, its associated insignia, and the manner of wearing the medal. This determination applies to individuals who have been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal for distinguished service within the fire service sector. The determination outlines the technical specifications for the design of the medal, including its size, material, and the inscriptions on both the obverse and reverse sides. It also details the design of the miniature piece, the lapel badge, and the ribbon bar. The Act specifies that the medal is to be worn on the left breast on all occasions when full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn, and the miniature piece is worn on all occasions when miniatures of orders, decorations, and medals are worn. The determination further states that the ribbon bar may be worn at any time on uniform or civilian dress at the discretion of the recipient, and the lapel badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress. The order of wearing is specified in accordance with The Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards. The determination does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds for the award of the medal, and it does not extend or restrict application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Australian Fire Service Medal Determination (C2023G00650) outlines the design and manner of wearing the Australian Fire Service Medal, its miniature, lapel badge, and ribbon bar. The Main Piece of the medal is a circular copper-nickel piece 38 millimetres in diameter, featuring an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II superimposed over a seven-pointed star of flames, with the words "AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL" and "FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE" inscribed on it (Section 1). The medal is suspended from a ribbon 32 millimetres wide, which includes two green vertical bands and a central gold band with a red flame pattern. The miniature piece is a half-size replica of the main medal, while the lapel badge is a 10 millimetre replica of the medal. The ribbon bar consists of a strip of the full-sized ribbon without an emblem. Entities governed by the Act must ensure that the design and specifications of the Australian Fire Service Medal adhere to the technical details provided. This includes the dimensions, materials, and inscriptions specified in the Determination. The wearing of the medal, miniature piece, lapel badge, and ribbon bar must follow the guidelines set out in the Guide to the Wearing of Insignia and The Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards. Recipients must wear the medal on the left breast when full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn, and the miniature piece when miniatures are worn. The ribbon bar may be worn at any time on uniform or civilian dress, and the lapel badge may be worn with civilian dress. Breaches of the provisions regarding the design, wearing, and order of wear of the Australian Fire Service Medal are not explicitly stated in the Determination. However, non-compliance with the specified design and wearing guidelines could potentially be subject to disciplinary action within the issuing authority or other relevant bodies. The exact consequences for such breaches are not detailed in the Determination itself but would likely be governed by internal regulations or policies of the awarding body.