EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL
DETERMINATION
I, PHILIP MICHAEL JEFFERY, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, having received the approval of Her Majesty The Queen to the design of the Emergency Services Medal, and acting in pursuance of regulations 6 and 7 of the Regulations Governing the Award of the Emergency Services Medal hereby determine as follows:
Design
1. The Emergency Services Medal is a bi-metal construction of silver and bronze colouring in a circular shape 38 millimetres in diameter. The medal is surmounted by a silver suspender bar of fixed configuration, with the raised and polished words ‘EMERGENCY SERVICES’ running the width of the ribbon on the obverse. The obverse of the Medal has a central motif of a raised equilateral triangle device with the edges bevelled and top surface polished and bounded on all sides by stylised sprays of wattle representing the Australian nature of the award, The centre of the equilateral triangle has a bronze coloured insert, circular in shape with a raised impression of the Federation Star. This device is surrounded by a circlet of twenty‑four balls representing the twenty-four hours per day the Emergency Service is available to the community. The circular portion of the medal obverse has a raised and polished rim. The reverse bears a semi-circular, raised and polished panel featuring the incised words ‘FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE’. The rounded ends of the panel are in line with the bottom edge of the centre insert, which incorporates a bronze coloured insert, circular in shape, with a raised impression of the Federation Star. The area below the insert is available for engraving the recipient's name. The overall background is of a finely textured or frosted finish. All highlight points of the award are a polished finish.
Miniature
2. The miniature of the Emergency Services Medal is a half size replica of the Medal, suspended from a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide.
Ribbon
3. The ribbon of the Emergency Services Medal is 32 millimetres wide and features a centre band of an orange and white checkerboard pattern 24 millimetres wide, with each square being 2 millimeters square. The checkerboard pattern is flanked on each outer edge by a royal blue band 4 millimetres wide.
Ribbon Bar
4. The ribbon bar of the Emergency Services Medal consists of a strip of full size ribbon, 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres deep, with no emblem.
Lapel Badge
5. The lapel badge of the Emergency Services Medal is a replica of the Medal 10 millimetres in diameter.
Wearing
6. The Emergency Services Medal is worn on the left breast on all occasions when full size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The miniature medal is worn on all occasions when miniatures of orders, decorations and medals are worn. The ribbon bar may be worn at any time when service dress is worn. The lapel badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress.
Order of Wear
7. The Emergency Services Medal is worn in accordance with The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards as approved from time to time by The Sovereign.
Dated this First day of September 2008
Original Signed By General Jeffery
GOVERNOR-GENERAL
Overview
The Emergency Services Medal Determination 2008 was enacted to address the need for a specific award recognising the distinguished service of members of the emergency services in Australia. This prerogative instrument was issued by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, General Philip Michael Jeffery, acting under the approval of Her Majesty The Queen, and it formalises the design and criteria for the Emergency Services Medal. The policy objective of this determination is to provide a formal recognition of the exceptional service and dedication of emergency service personnel, ensuring that their contributions are acknowledged and commemorated in a tangible way. The determination outlines the detailed specifications of the medal, including its design, miniature, ribbon, ribbon bar, and lapel badge, as well as the rules for its wear and order of precedence among other honours and awards.
Scope and Application
The Emergency Services Medal Determination, made under the authority of the Governor-General, outlines the design, specifications, and wearing protocols of the Emergency Services Medal, which is awarded for distinguished service. This legislation applies to individuals who have rendered distinguished service within emergency services, and the award is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia. The medal's design features a bi-metal construction with specific elements representing the nature and availability of emergency services, and it includes a ribbon, miniature, ribbon bar, and lapel badge, each with precise specifications. The wearing of the medal, miniature, ribbon bar, and lapel badge is governed by strict protocols, reflecting the order of precedence in the wearing of Australian honours and awards. The determination does not explicitly mention exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds but implies that eligibility is contingent upon the nature and level of service provided within emergency services. The application of the Act may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, as is common in Australian legislation governing honours and awards.
Key Provisions
The Emergency Services Medal Determination (C2010Q00004) outlines the design, specifications, and wearing instructions of the Emergency Services Medal. Section 1 of the determination describes the medal's design, detailing its bi-metal construction, its circular shape, and the specific elements of the obverse and reverse sides, including the central motif, the circlet of twenty-four balls, and the semi-circular panel on the reverse. Section 2 details the miniature, Section 3 the ribbon, Section 4 the ribbon bar, and Section 5 the lapel badge, all with specific measurements and design elements. Section 6 provides guidance on the occasions and attire for wearing the medal, miniature, ribbon bar, and lapel badge. Section 7 directs that the medal is worn according to the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards.
The Act imposes several obligations on the recipients of the Emergency Services Medal and the authorities responsible for its distribution. Recipients must wear the medal according to the specified occasions and attire as outlined in Section 6. Authorities responsible for the distribution must ensure that the medal conforms to the design specifications detailed in Section 1, including the bi-metal construction, dimensions, and inscriptions. The Act also requires that the medal is worn in accordance with the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards as stipulated in Section 7, ensuring consistency with other honours and awards.
Breach of the provisions of this determination can result in both civil and criminal consequences. For instance, improper wear of the medal, such as wearing it on inappropriate occasions or in a manner not consistent with the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards, could be seen as a disrespect to the award and the services it represents. While the Act does not explicitly state penalties for such breaches, dishonouring the medal could potentially lead to disciplinary actions or other consequences as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. Additionally, the unauthorised manufacture or sale of the medal could lead to criminal charges under Australian law, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.