Australian Fire Service Medal Determination

Overview

The Australian Fire Service Medal Determination 1991 was enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, William George Hayden, under the authority granted by the Australian Fire Service Medal Regulations. This legislation was introduced to formally recognise and reward distinguished service within the Australian fire service community. The determination outlines the specific design, appearance, and protocol for wearing the Australian Fire Service Medal, including its ribbon, miniature, and lapel badge. The policy objective of this legislation is to provide a tangible recognition of the significant contributions made by members of the fire service, thereby acknowledging their dedication and bravery. This recognition is intended to honour those who have rendered distinguished service, ensuring that their efforts are formally appreciated and commemorated.

Scope and Application

The Australian Fire Service Medal Determination 1991 outlines the design, appearance, and wearing protocol of the Australian Fire Service Medal. This Act applies to the recipients of the Medal who have distinguished themselves through service in the fire service sector, including both current and former members of fire service organisations. The Medal is intended to recognise and honour their service and contributions to the community. The Act specifies the design and appearance of the Medal, including the dimensions, materials, and inscriptions on both the obverse and reverse sides, as well as the design of the accompanying ribbon. The Medal is to be worn on the left breast whenever full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn, and a miniature of the Medal may also be worn at other times. The Act also provides for the creation of a lapel badge, which can be worn with civilian attire, and specifies the order of precedence in which the Medal is to be worn in relation to other honours and awards. The Act applies nationally, with the Medal available to all eligible recipients across the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in the Act itself, although the eligibility criteria for receiving the Medal may be outlined in other legislation or regulations.

Key Provisions

The Australian Fire Service Medal Determination outlines the design and specifications of the Australian Fire Service Medal and its associated insignia. According to section 1, the Medal is a copper-nickel circular design with a diameter of 38 millimetres, featuring the Crown of Saint Edward, an effigy of the Sovereign, and a seven-pointed star of flames on the obverse, with the words "AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL" and the inscription "FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE" on the reverse. The Medal is suspended from a ribbon described in section 2, which consists of two 8 millimetre green vertical bands flanking a central 16 millimetre gold band that has a superimposed irregular red band symbolizing flames. The Medal's miniature, detailed in section 4, is a half-size replica of the Medal suspended from a 16 millimetre ribbon and is worn alongside other miniatures of orders, decorations, and medals. The lapel badge, as per section 5, is a 10 millimetre replica of the Medal that can be worn at any time with civilian dress. Section 3 specifies that the Medal should be worn on the left breast whenever full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn, and section 6 states that the Medal is worn in accordance with the Australian Order of Precedence of Honours and Awards as approved by The Sovereign. The Australian Fire Service Medal Determination imposes specific requirements and obligations on the parties it governs. The Medal's design and specifications must adhere to the details provided in the determination, ensuring consistency and uniformity in its appearance. The determination also outlines the appropriate occasions and settings for wearing the Medal, miniature, and lapel badge, ensuring respect for the significance of the award. Additionally, the Order of Precedence dictates the placement of the Medal among other honours and awards, reflecting its status and the esteem in which it is held. The Australian Fire Service Medal Determination does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil or criminal consequences for breaches of the provisions within the determination itself. However, breaches of the regulations governing the Australian Fire Service Medal could potentially result in penalties under the Australian Honours and Awards system. These penalties may include the return of the Medal or insignia, and in more severe cases, legal action could be taken for misuse or disrespect of the Medal. The maximum penalties for such breaches would typically be determined by the relevant laws and regulations governing honours and awards in Australia.