At the March 2015 Honours & Awards Committee, following significant discussion and trialling of alternate kits, approval was granted to make changes to the way our members receive service awards.
From 1 May 2015, members eligible for service awards (including Life Member awards) will now receive a full service award in place of the service award upgrade kits which were introduced to CFA in 2008.
The transition to a single service award for all CFA members was implemented in 2008 by the CFA Board. The One Service Award replaced the system of providing separate awards to staff and volunteers.
As we move to the full service award, members will now receive a newly-awarded medal, ribbon bar and lapel badge service award marking significant milestones at 10 years of service and every five years thereafter. This will replace the upgrade kit on milestone anniversaries and is required to be worn in the same position.
Brigades should ensure that members remove past service awards at presentations for new service awards, to make adequate room. Members can access a copy of the 'How to wear Honours and Awards' booklet via Brigades Online (File path listed below).
This important change will ensure that CFA retains a consistent and quality approach to recognising the significant contribution our members make over an extended period of time. It follows a request from our members and VFBV to consider adjustment to the way in which CFA service awards are provided.
For further information on CFA Honours and Awards, please refer to the CFA Honours and Awards Manual which is available on Brigades Online.
File path: Brigades Online > Brigade > Service History & Awards > About the Awards
If you have questions or feedback email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone 1800 232 636.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will members who have their medals court mounted need to have them re-mounted every five years to incorporate the newly award medal?
No, members will not have to have their medals re-mounted. Medal mounting companies may purchase clasps for the main size medal directly from CFA at $2.00 each +GST. This would mean that the member could keep the newly presented award set in full. The medals which are mounted can then be updated with the clasp of the appropriate years of service.
Rosettes for the ribbon bars are also available for purchase at $1.10 each +GST.
- Will members be required to return their previous medal?
No, members who have previously received CFA Service Awards or Life Member award may keep them and do not have to return them to CFA. Upgrade kits that were previously awarded will not be recalled.
- Will other members get my second hand award set?
No, second hand award sets will not be presented to members. Each member is eligible for a new award set at each anniversary date.
- Do members have to remove their previously awarded service medal?
Yes, Brigades are required to ensure that members remove past service awards at the presentation of the new service award. In accordance with CFA tradition, the new award/medal replaces the previous service medal. It is not appropriate to wear multiple CFA service medals at the same time. Further information on wearing honours, please refer to the ‘How to wear Honours and Awards’ booklet which is available through Brigades Online.
File path: Brigades Online > Brigade > Service History & Awards > About the Awards
- Will members who have previously received the upgrade kit be retrospectively awarded a full award set?
No, Members will receive the full award set at their next anniversary date from 1st May 2015 onwards. Members are to continue to utilise the upgrade kits until they will be awarded the full award set at their next anniversary date.
Author: Belinda Gillespie