Fire Marshal Pat Burke presents Fire Safety
Officer John Verbeek of Hamilton Fire and Emergency Services with a provincial long
service medal for his 25 years of service
The Fire Services Long Service Medals:
First awarded in 1971, "The Fire Services Long Service Medal" is an expression of
public appreciation for the dedication and hard work of members of the Ontario Fire
Services. It is officially recognized by the Province and is included in the Fire
Protection and Prevention Act, 1997. Members of full-time and volunteer fire
departments can qualify for the medal.
The medal is worn on the left breast subordinate to Canadian or British decorations.
Suspended from a red, white and green ribbon, the circular medal bears on the obverse
the Maltese cross, with the coat of arms of Ontario superimposed and the inscription
'Fire Services Ontario'. The inscription 'For Long Service the Fire Protection and
Prevention Act’ appears on the reverse.
Besides the medal, recipients are also presented with a citation, which includes
their name and the signature of the Fire Marshal of Ontario.
The Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal
In mid-1985, the Government of Canada accepted the proposal for the creation of
a service medal for all full-time and volunteer members of Canada's Fire Service.
Regulations paralleling those of other Exemplary Service Medals were drafted and
a proposed design for the medal was submitted to representatives of the Fire Service.
Once approved, the regulations and design were forwarded to the Sovereign with Cabinet's
recommendations.
Her Majesty The Queen signed Letters Patent creating the Fire Services Exemplary
Service Medal on August 29, 1985.
The design of the Medal incorporates crossed axes, a hydrant, and a stylized Maltese
Cross, an internationally recognized symbol of the fire prevention community. Both
are superimposed on a maple leaf, the standard background symbol of Canadian honours.
The red of the ribbon represents fire; the gold, common to all Exemplary Service
Medals, represents the quality of the service honoured.
Exemplary medals are engraved with the recipient's first initial and name and a
citation is prepared. Both the medals and citations are mailed directly to the Fire
Chief and are not presented at investitures hosted by the OFM.
Q: Does the OFM present the Federal Exemplary medals/bars at long service medal
investiture ceremonies?
A: No, it is up to your municipality/department to award them.
Q: Does Canadian Forces' service count towards the Exemplary medal?
A: In most cases, the answer is no. Individuals receiving their Certificate of Declaration
medal will have service deducted from their years of service (in most cases 12 years)
A: Does fire service in other countries count towards the Exemplary medal?
A: Please call the awards coordinator to discuss the your situation.
Long Service Medal FAQs
Q: What happens to my applications once I send them in to be processed?
A: The awards coordinator will file them by municipality to be prepared for the
long service medal investiture in that area (subject to scheduling). Due to the
volume of the applications received, we are unable to send notification to fire
departments that these applications have been received.
Q: Are the forms available on-line?
A: Yes, please check under the heading:
Applying for provincial
and exemplary medals Once the forms are completed and signed, please fax
them to the awards coordinator at 416 325 3162. There are forms for Long Service
(25 year medal), Service Bars (30, 35, 40, 45) and Fire Services' Administrative
Assistant Award (20 years).
Q: Who are invited to attend long service medal investitures?
A: Fire Service/Fire Services Admin. personnel (and one guest over 16 years of age)
are invited to attend and be awarded the 25-year medal. If a firefighter has previously
received their medal and were not able to attend the investiture at the time of
their 25-year anniversary, then they are able to attend an investiture at another
time (and in another area, if preferred). Please inform the awards coordinator of
your preference. Service bars are not presented at investitures unless authorized
by the awards committee. The Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and one guest each
are invited as well. We also encourage the Fire Chief to invite a representative
from the municipality.
Q: Is fire service from other countries and Canadian armed forces counted towards
the medal?
A: The fire service time must be performed in Ontario. Please call the awards
coordinator and discuss your situation. Service from other jurisdictions may be
deducted.
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