Did you or someone you know provide service in a declared emergency event of significance in the ACT, such as the 2020 Bushfires and storm season?
Apply for the ACT Emergency Medal.
The ACT Emergency Service Medal (AEM) was first established as a result of the 2003 Canberra Bushfires and aims to officially recognise the unique contribution and significant commitment of those who have provided service in response to a declared emergency event in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Given the severity of the bushfire and storm events in 2003 and 2020 along with the number of personnel who responded, the ACT Government considered that it was appropriate to redefine the purpose of the ACT Emergency Medal or Clasp to align with the National Emergency Medal framework.
As such, the ACT Government is calling for nominations from eligible applicants to recognise their extraordinary efforts in keeping Canberrans and neighbouring communities safe, particularly with the recent 2020 bushfire and storm season. For information about eligibility, how to apply on behalf of an organisation or as a private citizen, the application process, outcome notification, and emergency and service declarations, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Sustained Service
The ACT Emergency Medal will be awarded to persons who meet the criteria established by the Chief Minister for each individually declared emergency event of significance to the ACT.
Each event will have a defined minimum duration of service in specified times and places in the ACT and surrounds.
Significant Service
The ACT Emergency Medal will be awarded to persons who the Chief Minister considers contributed in direct response, assisted with the protection of lives and property and performed extraordinarily during the declared emergency event of significance to the ACT.
Eligibility for the ACT Emergency Medal Declared Significant Events
2003 Canberra Bushfires
For the purpose of awarding the ACT Emergency Medal, the emergency event of the Bushfires in the ACT during January 2003 is declared to be an emergency event of significance to the ACT.
Name of event: 2003 Canberra Bushfires.
Name of Clasp: 2003
Geographical area: Australian Capital Territory
Day emergency commenced: 8 Jan 2003
Duration of emergency event: for the purpose of the declaration the duration of the emergency event was the period commencing on 8 Jan 2003 and ending on 19 Jan 2003 inclusive of these dates.
Type of Service required: for the purpose of the declaration and the awarding of the medial, service in relation to the emergency event that is required to qualify for the award of the medal for sustained service is service primarily involved in the suppression of bushfires or evacuation and protection of the ACT community.
Minimum duration of service for awarding of the medal for sustained service: minimum eight (8) hours during the period identified above for the 2003 Canberra Bushfires.
2020 ACT bushfire and storm season
For the purpose of awarding the ACT Emergency Medal, the following events are declared to be an emergency event of significance to the ACT:
- State of Alert and State of Emergency from 2 January 2020 to 9 February 2020;
- Hospital Hill bushfire from 6 January 2020 to 9 January 2020;
- Beard/Pialligo bushfire from 23 January 2020 to 29 January 2020;
- Orroral bushfire from 27 January 2020 to 9 February 2020; and
- the hailstorm and response from 20 January 2020 to 9 February 2020.
Name of event: 2020 ACT bushfire and storm season.
Name of Clasp: 2020
Geographical areas: Namadgi National Park, Pialligo, Canberra
Day emergency commenced: 2 Jan 2020
Duration of emergency event: for the purpose of the declaration the duration of the emergency event was the period commencing on 2 January 2020 and ending on 9 February 2020 inclusive of these dates.
Type of Service required: for the purpose of the declaration and the awarding of the medal, service in relation to the emergency event that is required to qualify for the award of the medal for sustained service is service provided by a person:
- In protection of lives and property during the State of Alert/State of Emergency, Hospital Hill, Beard/Pialligo Fire, Orroral Fire and hailstorm of 20 January 2020; or
- In the service of interests that are not their own; or
- In direct response to the declared emergency (including support that enables or facilitates the emergency response).
Minimum duration of service for awarding of the medal for sustained service: five (5) days during the period identified above for the 2020 ACT bushfire and storm season.
General Enquiries
If you have any enquiries relating to the ACT Emergency Medal, please contact the ACT Emergency Medal Team via email ACTEmergencyMedal@act.gov.au.
