Suggested Firefighter Commendation Plan

The medals and commendation bar suggestions featured herein are a culmination of what our customers are currently using as well as what we have found in use by other departments and organizations.

Presentation

All medals come in a standard presentation box.

Color Accuracy

While this guideline strives to present available colors as accurately as possible, the actual colors used will always be Pantone Reflex Blue & PMS 187 Red.

Customization

Colored medals, panels, commendation bars and center inserts are all custom filled to your specifications at the time of order. Please feel free to alter the following suggestions to fit the needs of your department!

Panels on medals are interchangeable, with many options available. For example, the “Medal of Commendation” panel text may be replaced with “Chief’s Award.”

Many options exist for center seals. Ribbon colors may be changed. Pin Drape ribbons are shown on all medals in this guide, but Windsor fold ribbons and neck ribbons are also available.

Your department may choose to give a commendation bar instead of a medal or may choose to present a medal where we only list a commendation bar.

Here’s a suggestion: Print It!

If you need a physical copy, use the PDF version of our commendation guideline below to print out suggestions and take them with you!

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Custom Commendation Plan Deposit

Please be aware that any custom Commendation Plans will require a deposit of $100 before design work will be done. When your layout is approved, it will apply toward your order. This deposit is non-refundable.

Medal of Honor MedalofHonor
To receive the Medal of Honor, the firefighter must be a member of the department who, in the performance of duty while on a call, under extreme hazardous conditions, in which the member is confronted with imminent personal risk, and has full knowledge of that risk, performs an act of conspicuous heroism which furthers the highest traditions of the fire service.
Medal A4118
Panel No extra panel, medal is stamped "MEDAL of HONOR"
Ribbon RC-5 Blue
Center Insert A6990 Red Enamel
Commendation Bar J202-MH "HONOR" - White/Blue/White

Medal of Valor MedalofValor
To receive the Medal of Valor, the firefighter must be a member of the department who, in the performance of duty while on a call, under hazardous conditions, in which the member is confronted with imminent personal risk, but had no prior knowledge of that risk, performs an act of conspicuous heroism which furthers the highest traditions of the fire service.
Medal A4117
Panel No extra panel, medal is stamped "MEDAL of VALOR"
Ribbon RC-1 Red
Center Insert A6990 Red Enamel
Commendation Bar J204-MV "VALOR" - White/Red/White

Medal of Bravery MedalofBravery
To receive the Medal for Bravery, the firefighter must be a member of the department who, in the performance of duty while on a call, performs an act of distinguished bravery and stamina in adverse conditions of fire, environment, weather, or materials.
Medal A2629B Red Enamel Fill Maltese
Panel A6823T "Medal for Bravery" - Blue Enamel
Ribbon RC 3 Red/White/Blue
Center Insert A6990 Red Enamel
Commendation Bar A10807 "Bravery" Red/Blue/Red

Lifesaving Medal LifesavingMedal
To receive the Lifesaving Medal, the firefighter must be a member of the department who is principally involved in saving the life of another person and whose personal actions were directly responsible for the lifesaving act.
Medal A768
Panel A6823R "Life Saving" with stars - Blue Enamel
Ribbon RC36 Blue/Red
Center Insert A6990 Red
Commendation Bar A11178 "Life Saving" Red/Blue Enamel

Purple Heart PurpleHeart
The Purple Heart Medal/Commendation Bar is awarded to a member of the department for a wound received in the line of duty while observing all reasonable safety procedures, that required transportation to a medical facility and subsequent treatment for severe puncture wounds, lacerations, fractures, concussions, burns or other substantial injury.
Medal A2619 Purple Enamel Star
Panel A6823Z "Purple Heart" Red Enamel
Ribbon RC45 Purple
Center Insert A6990 Red Enamel
Commendation Bar J202-PH White with Purple Heart

Meritorious Conduct MeritoriousConduct
To receive the Meritorious Conduct Medal/Commendation Bar, the firefighter must be a member of the department who performs a notable act of distinction in the performance of duty and reflects the integrity and devotion shown by the recipient.
Medal A4131
Panel A6823AM "Meritorious Conduct" - Blue Enamel
Ribbon RC31 White/Red/ Blue/Red/White
Center Insert A6990 Red Enamel
Commendation Bar A7140Q "Meritorious Conduct" - Red Enamel

Distinguished Service DistinguishedService
To receive the Distinguished Service Medal/Commendation Bar, the firefighter must be a member of the department who performs a highly unusual act of distinction under adverse conditions in the performance of duty.
Medal A2366
Panel A6823M "Distinguished Service" with stars - Blue Enamel
Ribbon RC27 Red/White/Blue/White/Red
Center Insert A6991 Red Enamel
Commendation Bar A6265 Red/White/Blue/White/Red

Commendation Commendation
The Commendation Medal/Commendation Bar is awarded to a member of the department for a credible act in the line of duty which is commendable in nature, and displays admirable initiative and accomplishment.
Medal A1789
Panel A6823HH "Commendation" - Blue Enamel
Ribbon RC44 White/Blue/Red/Blue/White
Center Insert A6990 Red Enamel
Commendation Bar A6265 White/Blue/Red/Blue/White

Exceptional Duty ExceptionalDuty
The Exceptional Duty Medal/Commendation Bar is awarded to a member of the department for a highly credible accomplishment bringing public acclaim to the department or fire service as a result of devotion to duty or service to the public.
Medal A2084
Panel A6823AF "Exceptional Duty" Blue Enamel
Ribbon RC28 White/Red/White/Blue/White
Center Insert A6990 Red Enamel
Commendation Bar A6265 White/Red/White/Blue/White

Firefighter of the Year FirefighteroftheYear
The Firefighter of the Year Medal/Commendation Bar is presented to the individual as chosen by his fellow members or the chief of the department who characterizes the best attributes of being a firefighter.
Medal A4121B - Red Enamel
Panel A6823NN "Firefighter of the Year" Red Enamel
Ribbon RC42 Red/White/Red
Center Insert A6990 Red Enamel
Commendation Bar A7142 Red/White/Red

EMT of the Year EMToftheYear
The EMT of the Year Medal/Commendation is awarded to the individual as chosen by his fellow members or the chief of the department who characterizes the best attributes of an emergency medical technician or paramedic.
Medal A4121B - Blue Enamel
Panel A6823PP "E.M.T. of the Year" Blue Enamel
Ribbon RC26 Blue/White/Blue
Center Insert A4248 Star of Life
Commendation Bar A7142 Blue/White/Blue
5 Year 5Year
Given to a department member to commemorate their 5 year anniversary.
Commendation Bar: J204-Y5 Red

10 Year 10Year
Given to a department member to commemorate their 10 year anniversary.
Commendation Bar: J204-Y10 Red

15 Year 15Year
Given to a department member to commemorate their 15 year anniversary.
Commendation Bar: J204-Y15 Red

20 Year 20Year
Given to a department member to commemorate their 20 year anniversary.
Commendation Bar: J204-Y20 Red

25 Year 25Year
Given to a department member to commemorate their 25 year anniversary.
Commendation Bar: J204-Y25 Red

30 Year 30Year
Given to a department member to commemorate their 30 year anniversary.
Commendation Bar: J204-Y30 Red

Life Membership LifeMembership
In lieu of or in addition to offering a commendation bar every five years, a life membership bar may be given for a specified number of years on the department.
Commendation Bar: J204-MC Red

Veteran Fire Service Commendation VeteranFireServiceCommendation
The Veteran Firefighter Service Commendation Ribbon is awarded to a veteran member of the department who has performed service to the department in a highly commendable manner.
Commendation Bar: A10806 White with Gold Maltese Cross

Firefighter Response Commendation FirefighterResponseCommendation
Criteria: The Firefighter Response Commendation is awarded annually to the member(s) who responded to the most calls during the year.
Commendation Bar: A10849 White/Red/White with Red Diamond/Red/White

EMS Response Commendation EMSResponseCommendation
The EMS Response Commendation is awarded annually to the member(s) who responded to the highest number of calls during the year.
Commendation Bar: A10849 White/Blue/White with Blue Diamond/Blue/White

Unit Commendation UnitCommendation
The Unit Commendation Ribbons is awarded to a group of members who have performed service to the department in a highly commendable manner.
Commendation Bar: A11416 Red/White with flame/Red

Administrative Commendation AdministrativeCommendation
The Administration Commendation is awarded to a member of the department who has contributed considerable time and effort that increases the operational efficiency of the department.
Commendation Bar: A11166 Red/White/Red/White/Red/White/Red/White/Red/White/Red

Firefighter I FirefighterI
Commendation Bar: A10910 White/Red/White

Firefighter II FirefighterII
Commendation Bar: A10910-A White/Red/White

Firefighter III FirefighterIII
Commendation Bar: A10910-B White/Red/White

Fire Officer I FireOfficerI
Commendation Bar: A8104 White/Red/White

Fire Officer II FireOfficerII
Commendation Bar: A8709 White/Red/White/Red/White

Fire Officer III FireOfficerIII
Commendation Bar: A10801 White/Red/White/Red/White/Red/White

Fire Officer IV FireOfficerIV
Commendation Bar: A10800 White/Red/White/Red/White/Red/White/Red/White

Fire Instructor I FireInstructorI
Commendation Bar: J203-IN "Instructor" - Black

Fire Instructor II FireInstructorII
Commendation Bar: A11177-H "Instructor" - Red

EMT EMT
Commendation Bar: A8709 Blue/White/Blue/White/Blue

EMT-I EMT-I
Commendation Bar: A10801 Blue/White/Blue/White/Blue/White/Blue

EMT-P EMT-P
Commendation Bar: J203-EM Blue/White with Star of Life/Blue

EMS-I EMS-I
Commendation Bar: A11177-H "Instructor" - Blue

Educational Achievement Firefighter/Paramedic EducationalAchievementFirefighter/Paramedic
The Educational Achievement Ribbon is awarded to a member of the department who has completed a phase of the state certified series of training courses through Firefighter 3 and EMT- Paramedic.
Commendation Bar: A7141 Red/Blue

Advanced Education Achievement AdvancedEducationAchievement
The Advanced Educational Achievement Ribbon is awarded to a member of the department who has completed an advanced phase of the state certified series of firefighter training courses through Fire Service Instructor 2 And Fire Officer 4.
Commendation Bar: A7141A Red / White with stars

Hazmat Hazmat
Commendation Bar: J203-HZ Standard

Tech Rescue TechRescue
Commendation Bar: A10345 "Tech Rescue" White/Blue/White

Dive Team DiveTeam
Commendation Bar: A11177-E "Dive Team" Blue

Pumper Truck Crew PumperTruckCrew
Commendation Bar: J204-PT Red

Ladder Truck Crew LadderTruckCrew
Commendation Bar: J204-LT Red

Army Army
Commendation Bar: A11173 Green

USAF USAF
Commendation Bar: A11173-A Light Blue


USMC USMC
Commendation Bar: A11173-C Red

USCG USCG
Commendation Bar: A11173-D Blue

Natural Disaster Response NaturalDisasterResponse
Commendation Bar: A11420 Blue

Katrina Katrina
Commendation Bar: A11286 Blue

9-11-01 9-11-01
Commendation Bar: A7140-JLS Blue/Red/White/Red

Irene Irene
Commendation Bar: A12041 Blue

Custom Hurricane CustomHurricane
Commendation Bar: A11863LS Color of Choice
Engrave with your local incident and year

Custom Tornado CustomTornado
Commendation Bar: A12014-LS Color of Choice
Engrave with your local incident and year

First Responder FirstResponder
Commendation Bar: A8104 Blue/White/Blue

Honor Guard HonorGuard
Commendation Bar: A11177J "Honor Guard" Red

Baby Delivery BabyDelivery
Commendation Bar: A10809 Light Blue/Pink