The Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) recognises distinguished service by members of Australia’s fire service organisations. CFA accepts nominations at any time and all nominations received will be held for consideration at the next available CFA Honours and Awards Review Committee meeting.
The sole criterion for awarding the AFSM is distinguished service. This includes service that’s above and beyond what would be expected from normal service, whether short-term or prolonged. It could be a special achievement or success in the performance of duty in difficult or unusual circumstances, or sustained high-level performance with recognisable benefits for CFA, the fire service in general or the community. Long service should not be used as a basis for making nominations.
Examples of service that could form the basis of a nomination include:
- a distinguished record of fire service or particular service of conspicuous merit including, for example, the development of successful fire control techniques, exceptional service through training or community education, or outstanding service in fire prevention and protection
- outstanding success in organising fire service resources or in maintaining their organisation under special difficulties
- prolonged service when distinguished by very exceptional ability and merit.
For information regarding the criteria, how to apply and the nomination process, please refer to the CFA Honours and Awards Manual which is available through Brigades Online.
File path: Brigades Online > Brigade > Service History & Awards > About the Awards
The closing date for the next round of awards – Queen’s Birthday Honours 2016 − is 1 November 2015. You can email nominations to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or post them in an envelope marked ‘confidential’ to: CFA Awards Secretariat, PO Box 701, Mount Waverley, Vic 3149.
Refer to the new CFA Honours and Awards Nominator’s Guide for information and guidance about how to determine the most appropriate award, the importance of aligning the written nomination of a person to the criteria for the selected award, and finally, some guidance around the content of your nomination, so that the nominee has the best opportunity to be considered for special recognition.
If you require assistance in writing an AFSM nomination please contact, CFA Awards by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone: 1800 232 636.
Author: Belinda Gillespie