Fire service awards

The British Columbia Long Service Awards and the federal Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, honour firefighters in B.C. for their dedication and outstanding contributions to fire safety. The Fire Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated exceptional bravery or initiative in fire-related situations.

Medals

British Columbia Long Service Awards

The British Columbia Long Service medal is awarded to firefighters who have completed at least 25 years of paid or volunteer service in a community or structure fire department. The medal recognizes recipients’ long-standing commitment and dedicated service to fire safety in B.C.

The British Columbia Long Service bar and pin may be awarded for each additional 10 years of service after the initial 25 years.

Only one original award is issued. Replicas, replacements, or additional ribbons are not provided.

Eligibility

Nominees must have a minimum of 25 years of cumulative service in the fire service, and meet the following criteria:

• Have served in a paid or volunteer community or structure fire department
• Have completed a minimum of ten (10) years as a structure firefighter within the qualifying period
• Have completed all service in B.C.

Documentation verifying fire service history must be submitted with the nomination. Early submissions will not be accepted. 

Nominations

Nominations must be submitted by the fire chief, deputy fire chief, fire services manager, mayor or chief administrative officer. Select Submit a nomination to access the instructions and online nomination form. Review the requirements and ensure all supporting information is prepared before starting your nomination. The form must be completed and submitted in one session and cannot be saved.

Fire chiefs must be nominated by the individual they report to, such as the mayor or chief administrative officer of their jurisdiction. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Awards are mailed within approximately six months to the nominator. Presentation events or ceremonies should be scheduled only after the medal or bar has been received.

British Columbia Long Service 25-year Medal

Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal

The Fire Service Exemplary Service Medal is awarded on behalf of the Governor General of Canada to firefighters who have shown exemplary service through good conduct and efficiency in the performance of assigned duties.

Eligibility

Members of Canadian fire services who:

• Have completed 20 years of service, 10 years of which have been served in the performance of duties involving potential risks
• Were employed on or after August 29, 1985

All qualifying service must be completed at the time of application. Early submissions cannot be accepted and will be returned for resubmission once eligibility requirements are met.

Recognized fire services include:

• Canadian fire departments
• Fire Marshals’ offices
• Fire Commissioners’ offices
• The Canadian Forces Fire Services

To support timely review, applications must clearly outline the nominee’s service history. Identify all roles held and clearly indicate which years involved firefighting or other duties with potential risk. Use clear role descriptions where duties have changed over time.

Nominations

Visit the Fire Services Exemplary Medal program page for program details and information on how to make a nomination.

Fire chiefs must be nominated by the person they report to, such as the mayor or chief administrative officer of their jurisdiction. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Processing time for medals and bars is approximately nine months. Completed nomination forms are submitted to the OFC for validation and then submitted by the OFC to the Office of the Governor General of Canada for review and processing.

The certificate is issued first, followed separately by the medal or bar. Presentation events or ceremonies should be scheduled only after the medal or bar has been received.

Submit completed nomination forms to OFC@gov.bc.ca.

Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal

Recognition awards

Fire Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation

The Fire Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation recognizes individuals for exceptional actions during a fire-related emergency in B.C. It is awarded for a specific act or incident in which an individual’s exceptional action contributed to protecting lives, property, or the community.

Eligibility

Who can be nominated:

• Members of the fire service (career or volunteer)
• Members of the public who have contributed to fire safety or acted courageously during a fire-related emergency

Nominations must demonstrate that the individual exhibited one or more of the following:

Acts of bravery

• Rescuing individuals from a burning building or hazardous environment
• Providing life-saving assistance during a fire or related emergency
• Taking decisive action to prevent fire spread and protect lives

Exceptional leadership or initiative

• Demonstrating outstanding leadership during a critical incident
• Volunteering or acting under dangerous conditions to safeguard others

Eligible actions or contributions must have occurred in B.C. and relate to a specific act or incident. It is not intended to recognize long service or general job performance.

Nominations

Nominations must be submitted by the fire chief, deputy fire chief, fire services manager, mayor or chief administrative officer. Select Submit a nomination to access the eligibility criteria, instructions and online nomination form. Review the requirements and ensure all supporting information is prepared before starting your nomination. The form must be completed and submitted in one session and cannot be saved.

Each nomination is reviewed, and a recommendation is provided to the Fire Commissioner. If approved, a certificate will be issued and sent to the nominator for presentation to the recipient.

Submit a nomination