Emergency Services Medal Explained

Emergency Services Medal
Presenter:	Australia
Type:	Medal
Eligibility:	members of Australian emergency services
Awarded For:	distinguished service
Status:	Currently awarded
Post-Nominals:	ESM
Established:	7 July 1999
Firstawarded:	2000 Queen's Birthday Honours
Lastawarded:	2024 King's Birthday Honours
Total Awarded:	663^[1]
Precedence Label:	Order of Wear
Higher:	Ambulance Service Medal (ASM)
Lower:	Australian Corrections Medal (ACM)

The Emergency Services Medal (ESM) is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian emergency service, and people who are involved in emergency management, training or education.The medal was introduced in 1999, and recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "ESM".The Emergency Services Medal is considered to be among the highest honours available to Emergency Services workers and volunteers.

Awards are made by the Governor-General, on the nomination of the responsible minister in each state or territory, and at the federal level. The total number of awards made each year must not exceed the following quota:

• One medal for every 1000 full-time members, or part of 1000, full-time members of the emergency service (or combined emergency services) of each state.
• One medal for every 5000, or part of 5000 part-time, volunteer or auxiliary members of the emergency service (or combined emergency services).
• One medal may be awarded in each of the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and the combined External Territories.

Description

• The central motif on the obverse of the Emergency Services Medal is a raised equilateral triangle with beveled edges. This is bordered by stylised sprays of wattle. The centre of the triangle features a raised impression of the Federation Star that is surrounded by twenty-four balls. The balls represent the twenty-four hours per day the Emergency Service is available to the community.
• The reverse has the inscription ‘For Distinguished Service’.
• The medal has silver and bronze colouring.
• The 32 millimetre-wide ribbon features a centre band of an orange and white checkerboard pattern, flanked on each outer edge by a royal blue band. .

See also

Australian Honours Order of Precedence

References

• It's an Honour Australian Government website

Notes and References

1. Book: Governor-General Annual Report 2023-24 . 30 September 2024 . Governor General of Australia . 3 November 2024.