Emergency personnel are to be eligible to receive the National Emergency Medal in recognition of their service during the current bushfire season.
Announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the medal, which was introduced following the Victorian bushfires of 2009, recognises sustained or significant service during bushfires and other natural emergencies.
Mr Morrison made the announcement at the national Australia Day ceremony in Canberra.
“The response to the bushfire situation has been unprecedented with thousands of volunteer and paid responders working around the clock, day and night, week after week to protect property and save lives,” Mr Morrison said.
“Their courage has been extraordinary, and it’s a spirit which we must honour and celebrate this Australia Day and one which we will now formally recognise through the National Emergency Medal,” he said.
“Today as we reflect on what makes our country the best place in the world, we also honour those Australians who have battled this devastating fire season, many of whom will be on fire grounds today protecting our communities from danger.”
Mr Morrison said that at the conclusion of the ongoing response to the bushfires, the National Emergency Medal Committee would convene to formalise eligibility criteria for recipients.
More than 15,000 medals have been awarded to responders and volunteers, including those involved in the Victoria bushfire response and the Queensland floods of 2010/2011.
