Honour medal for firefighters
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The Honour medal for firefighters (French: "Médaille d'honneur des Sapeurs Pompiers") is a state decoration of France bestowed by the Ministry of the Interior to members of the French Fire Service.[2]
Honour medal for firefighters | |
---|---|
Type | Decoration |
Awarded for | Long service, exceptional services with rosette |
Country | France |
Presented by | the Minister of the Interior |
Eligibility | French firefighters |
Status | Currently awarded |
Established | 16 February 1900 |
Ribbon for exceptional services Ribbon for long service | |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | Medal for voluntary military service[1] |
Next (lower) | Medal of the Nation's Gratitude[1] |
Although possessing a two-century-old firefighting tradition, the French government proved slow in recognizing the service and courage of the men and women who face risk on a daily basis to save lives and property. Not until 1875 was a service certificate established and bestowed for thirty years of service.[3] This was the only means of recognizing the devotion to duty of Parisian and rural firemen until the establishment of the Honour medal for firefighters by a law of 16 February 1900. Another twenty two years would elapse until a decree of 14 March 1922 added a rosette to the ribbon of the medal to denote an act of bravery.[2] A later law of 12 December 1934 added silver-gilt and gold grades to the medal for long service.[2] A silver-gilt grade of the medal for exceptional service only came to be in 1962.[2]
The decree of 4 March 1981 saw a new design and ribbon for the Honour medal for firefighters awarded for exceptional service.[2]