7 January 2021
Many people who took part in the firefighting effort during last summer’s bushfire emergency will be awarded the National Emergency Medal with clasp.
The National Emergency Medal can be awarded by the Governor-General to any person who has given sustained service during a nationally significant emergency.
The award will recognise those who protected lives and property on the frontline during the bushfires and also those who served in support of those efforts.
The qualifying period of service for the award is between September 2019 and February 2020, but dates vary according to affected local government areas in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT.
But responders must have served a minimum of five days, whether consecutive or not, and meet other eligibility criteria.
Members of the ADF, NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, and Queensland Police Service do not need to nominate for the award as a consolidated list will be prepared by each organisation.
But individuals are responsible for ensuring their deployment or support during the emergency, particularly locations and dates, is accurately recorded by the organisation they served.
Specific geographical areas and qualifying dates and further information is available at https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awardsnational-emergency-medal/apply-national-emergency-medal
Information regarding local government areas can be located at https://alga.asn.au/resources/council-maps-boundaries/
