Australian Fire Service Medal

The Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian fire service. The AFSM was introduced in 1988, and replaced the Imperial awards of the Queen's Fire Service Medal for Gallantry and the Queen's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service. Recipients of the Australian Fire Service Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "AFSM".

Awards are made by the Governor-General, on the nomination of the responsible minister in each state or territory, and at the federal level. The total number of awards each year must not exceed the following quota:

• one award for each 1,000, or part of 1,000, full-time permanent members of the combined fire services of each state;
• one award for each 5,000, or part of 5,000, part-time, volunteer or auxiliary members of the combined fire services of each state; and one additional award in each state;
• one award of the Medal shall be made in each calendar year in respect of the combined fire services in each of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory of Australia;
• one award of the Medal shall be made in each calendar year in respect of a Commonwealth fire service; and
• an occasional award (not exceeding one per calendar year) may be made in respect of the fire service of an External Territory as determined by the responsible Minister.

Description

• The AFSM is a circular copper-nickel medal. It is ensigned with the Crown of St Edward. The obverse displays an image of The Queen superimposed over a seven-pointed star of flames.
• The reverse 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.

See also

Australian Honours Order of Precedence

References

• It's an Honour Australian Government website

Orders, Decorations, and Medals of Australia Australian Honours Order of Precedence
Order of Australia (General Division and Military Division)	Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia (AK/AD)  • / Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)  • / Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)  • / Member of the Order of Australia (AM)  • / Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Gallantry Decorations	Victoria Cross for Australia (VC)  • Star of Gallantry (SG)  • Medal for Gallantry (MG)  • Commendation for Gallantry
Distinguished Service Decorations	Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)  • Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)  • Commendation for Distinguished Service
Bravery Decorations	Cross of Valour (CV)  • Star of Courage (SC)  • Bravery Medal (BM)  • Commendation for Brave Conduct  • Group Bravery Citation
Conspicuous Service Decorations	Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)  • Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)
Nursing Service	Nursing Service Cross (NSC)
Meritorious Service Awards	Public Service Medal (PSM)  • Australian Police Medal (APM)  • Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)  • Ambulance Service Medal (ASM)  • Emergency Services Medal (ESM)  • Australian Antarctic Medal (AAM)
Operational Service (Campaign) Medals	Warlike Australia Service Medal (1939–45)  • Australian Active Service Medal (1945–75)  • Vietnam Medal (1964–73)  • Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (1968–73)  • Australian Active Service Medal  • International Force East Timor Medal (1999–2000)  • Afghanistan Medal (2001–14)  • Iraq Medal (2003–13)  • Non-Warlike Australian General Service Medal Korea (1953–56)  • Australian Service Medal (1945–75)  • Australian Service Medal  • Rhodesia Medal (1979–80) Military Operations Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection  • Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian  • Australian Operational Service Medal – GMEO
Non-Operational Service Medals	Police Overseas Service Medal  • Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal  • National Emergency Medal  • Civilian Service Medal (1939–45)
Commemorative Medals	King Edward VII Coronation Medal (1902)  • King George V Coronation Medal (1911)  • King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)  • King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)  • Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)  • 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal (1999)  • Australian Sports Medal (2000)  • Centenary Medal (2001)
Long Service Medals	Defence Force Service Medal (1982–98)  • Reserve Force Decoration (1982–98) (RFD)  • Reserve Force Medal (1982–98)  • Defence Long Service Medal (1998–)  • National Medal (1975–)  • Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal (1999–)  • National Police Service Medal (2010–)
Other Defence Medals	Australian Defence Medal  • Anniversary of National Service 1951–1972 Medal
Skill-At-Arms	Champion Shots Medal
Unit Citations	/ Unit Citation for Gallantry  • / Meritorious Unit Citation