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HomeMy WebLinkAbout102.001 - Awards Program Fresno City Fire Department 100 Administrative Manual SECTION 102.001 AWARDS PROGRAM PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to institute guidelines for the establishment and organization of an awards program. APPLICATION It is the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or Department) policy to provide recognition for outstanding job performances and civic duties performed by on-duty or off-duty members and to present awards for outstanding achievements in a timely and organized manner. The responsibility for recognizing achievements is incumbent on each member. OPERATIONAL POLICY This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE The recognition of an act of extraordinary character by the presentation of an honor award may be conferred upon a fire-service member. It should be realized, in the performance of his/her duties; a firefighter is often exposed to some degree of personal risk and is expected to perform well in difficult situations. Therefore, to qualify for an honor award, the actions performed by the member must have been attended by a degree of risk or selfless act greater than normally encountered in the fire service. This program will function to determine members’ eligibility to receive an honor award. Reports of heroic, meritorious, or community-service actions performed by Department officers or members are prepared and forwarded through the chain of command to the Fire Chief by their immediate superiors at the time the acts were performed. All such reports are to include complete and accurate statements of the members involved and witnesses concerned, together with all other pertinent facts. If lifesaving actions were involved in the incident and the patient transported, an email Effective Date: October 2007 Kerri L. Donis, Fire Chief Current Revision Date: 3/21/2022 Section 102.001 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/21/2024 Page 1 of 9 will be sent to the Department EMS Officer (Captain Reynolds) as well as the Deputy Chief that oversees Training. Submitting the email the day of the incident enables the EMS Officer to ascertain the status of the patient. The Fire Chief will have final approval for all award nominations. PROCESS 1. Nomination of a Member: Battalion Chiefs thoroughly investigate all reports of heroic, meritorious, or community-service actions performed by members under their charge and make a written report within 30 days of the incident through the chain of command to the Fire Chief stating whether, in their opinion, such acts are worthy of official recognition. 2. Nomination of Civilian or Dispatcher: Any civilian act or dispatcher nomination should be reported through the chain of command to the Fire Chief within 30 days of the occurrence. All nominations must include a detailed written statement of the facts, clearly describing the act or performance to be cited. 3. Determination of Awards: The Fire Chief, Operations Chief, and Public Information Officer meet and review reports of heroic actions, making the final determination of awards. 4. Ceremonies: Award ceremonies are held bi-annually in May and October. If unforeseen circumstances prevent recognition ceremonies at these times, the ceremonies should take place at the earliest available date scheduled by the Office of the Fire Chief. DEPARTMENT AWARDS 1. Medal of Honor: The highest award bestowed upon any member. The Medal of Honor is awarded to members who have, under extremely hazardous conditions, courageously risked their own life to save another. The Medal of Honor is awarded when personal bravery and/or self-sacrifice is distinguishable above his/her fellow firefighters and must have involved risk of life. The intention is to reward truly outstanding performances under times of duress and are considered for emergencies only. Effective Date: October 2007 Kerri L. Donis, Fire Chief Current Revision Date: 3/21/2022 Section 102.001 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/21/2024 Page 2 of 9 The Medal of Honor may be awarded posthumously to a family of a firefighter who, because of actions while engaged in the mediation of a fire, medical emergency, rescue, hazardous materials incident, or other response, makes the ultimate sacrifice. Members receiving this award should be nominated for the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award. This award consists of a medal, commendation bar, American Flag, and certificate. 2. Medal of Bravery: This award is second only to the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Bravery is awarded to members who distinguish themselves by exhibiting courage (not justifying the Medal of Honor) or for an act exhibiting disregard for personal safety to save life or property. This medal is generally considered for members acting above and beyond the call of duty and within Department safe-operating policies and procedures. This award consists of a medal, commendation bar, and certificate. 3. Lifesaving Medal: The Lifesaving Medal is intended for an individual directly responsible for saving a human life. This award is presented to members who are instrumental in saving a human life through various actions, and who, went above and beyond the normal duties and responsibilities while on duty, or while off duty. This award is also issued to Communications dispatchers of the Fresno County EMS Communications Center who meet the criteria. The award is given based on the following criteria: a. The patient was critically injured or in imminent danger of death. b. The actions of the recipient were “directly” responsible for saving the person’s life. c. The patient recovered and, if transported, was discharged from the hospital. This award consists of a medal, commendation bar, and certificate. 4. Unit Citation Award: The Unit Citation Award is designed to recognize a functional unit that performs in a superior manner on the scene of an emergency incident. The unit must display such outstanding performance of exceptionally difficult tasks which set it apart from other Effective Date: October 2007 Kerri L. Donis, Fire Chief Current Revision Date: 3/21/2022 Section 102.001 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/21/2024 Page 3 of 9 units with similar duties. This award may be presented to members who participated in an action which contributed to the overall professionalism of the Department. This award consists of a commendation bar and commendation letter. 5. Clinical Save Award: A Clinical Save Award is awarded to members involved in a clinical save based on the following criteria: a. The patient was found pulseless and non-breathing. b. The patient was treated and transported to a hospital with a subsequent transfer from the emergency department to an intensive care unit. The incident commander will recommend a review by the FFD EMS Training Officer and, once the save is confirmed, the award recommendation will be sent to the Fire Chief. This award is also issued to Communications dispatchers of the Fresno County EMS Communications Center who meet the criteria. This award consists of a commendation bar and commendation letter. 6. Distinguished Service Award: The Distinguished Service Award is awarded to a member or group of members who commit acts of merit or service, which bring honor and distinction to the Department or increase efficiency or effectiveness. This award will consist of a commendation bar and commendation letter. 7. Firefighter of the Year Award: The Firefighter of the Year Award may be awarded to any member who exemplifies the Department’s mission, as well as unselfish acts in the field, leadership, compassion, and dedication. The recipient has demonstrated the ability to serve honorably in the finest tradition of the fire service. This award recipient is chosen by the Fire Chief and the president of Fresno Firefighters Local 202. This award will consist of a commendation bar and commendation letter. 8. Public Service Commendation Award: The Public Service Commendation Award may be awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the citizens of Fresno or other local agencies. This award is given to honor the Effective Date: October 2007 Kerri L. Donis, Fire Chief Current Revision Date: 3/21/2022 Section 102.001 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/21/2024 Page 4 of 9 members who voluntarily provide community service above and beyond what is normally expected or required of them. This award will consist of a commendation bar and recognition letter. 9. Special Designation Bar: These bars designate ranks or accomplishments earned by a member and will be worn above any awards a member has received. • Chief Fire Officer • Chief Medical Officer • Executive Fire Officer • Fire Officer 10.Specialty Team Bars: These bars designate specialty team members. Each member may purchase the designated bar. If a member elects to wear a specialty team bar, it is to be worn below any awards a member has received. • ARFF • PEER • Communications • HazMat • Honor Guard • Investigations • Prevention Specialist • US&R • WRT CIVILIAN AWARDS These awards are designed to recognize civilians for actions significantly resulting in saving a life, reducing the likelihood of serious injury and/or property loss. 1. Civilian Lifesaving Award: This award is intended for an individual directly responsible for saving a human life and will be issued to citizens of the community for saving a life through various actions, such as the application of pre-hospital emergency medical care, CPR, or public- safety measures. This award will consist of a framed medal. Effective Date: October 2007 Kerri L. Donis, Fire Chief Current Revision Date: 3/21/2022 Section 102.001 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/21/2024 Page 5 of 9 2. Civilian Commendation: The civilian citation is awarded for meritorious action which resulted in saving a life and/or the reduction of serious injury and/or property loss. This award will consist of a framed certificate. 3. Certificate of Commendation: This commendation is presented to individuals or organizations which have supported the Department and have made major significant contributions. This award will consist of a framed certificate. 4. Certificate of Appreciation: This certificate will be presented to any deserving individual for a deed worthy of recognition but does not fall within other award guidelines. This award will consist of a framed certificate. Effective Date: October 2007 Kerri L. Donis, Fire Chief Current Revision Date: 3/21/2022 Section 102.001 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/21/2024 Page 6 of 9 - ... AWARDS Category Awards Panel Colors Best Uniform Style No. Medal of Honor Medal with Ribbon; Commendation Bar; U. S. Flag; Certificate Medal: A4912 Medal of Honor, Nickel, FFD seal; Neck Ribbon: RC-42 Drape style; Commendation Bar: A7175, Honor Medal of Bravery Medal with Ribbon; Commendation Bar; Certificate Medal: A4131 Medal of Bravery. Nickel, FFD seal; Neck Ribbon: RC-26, Drape Style; Commendation Bar: A3705A Bravery Life Saving Medal Medal with Ribbon; Commendation Bar; Certificate Medal: A1595 Life Saving Nickel, FFD Seal; Neck Ribbon: RC-27 Drape Style; Commendation Bar: A8074 Unit Citation Commendation Bar; Commendation Letter A4616-J, Merit Unit Clinical Save Commendation Bar; Commendation Letter A8392, Star of Life Distinguished Service Commendation Bar; Commendation Letter A4616-A, DSA Firefighter of the Year Commendation Bar; Plaque; Commendation Letter A4616-A, Firefighter of the Year Public Service Commendation Commendation Bar; Recognition Letter A10871, PSA Civilian Award Medal of Bravery/life saving Effective Date: October 2007 Kerri L. Donis, Fire Chief Current Revision Date: 3/21/2022 Section 102.001 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/21/2024 Page 7 of 9 ARFF C F 0 C M 0 COMM UNIT F 0 US&R PREV SPEC PEER SPECIALTY TEAM BARS/SPECIAL DESIGNATION BARS Category Panel Colors Best Uniform Style No. ARFF A4616-A, ARFF Chief Fire Officer Available at CPSE Chief Medical Officer Available at CPSE Comm Unit A4616-A, Comm Unit Executive Fire Officer National Fire Academy Fire Officer Available at CPSE HazMat A4616-A, HazMat Honor Guard A3704, HG Investigations A4616-H, Invest US&R A4616-A, US&R WRT A4616-A, WRT Prev Spec A4616-A, Prev Spec PEER Support A4616-A, Peer Effective Date: October 2007 Kerri L. Donis, Fire Chief Current Revision Date: 3/21/2022 Section 102.001 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/21/2024 Page 8 of 9 INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES No cross-references recognized. Effective Date: October 2007 Kerri L. Donis, Fire Chief Current Revision Date: 3/21/2022 Section 102.001 Next Revision (2) Date: 3/21/2024 Page 9 of 9