OPERATING PROCEDURES
SECTION # 6DEPARTMENT AWARDS
In order to recognize members of the North Branford Fire Department for outstanding service, the following award process and classifications are hereby established.
BOARD OF MERIT
A Board of Merit for reviewing all meritorious acts performed by fire department members shall consist of the Chairperson of the Board of Fire Commissioners, the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief, Deputy Chief of Training or Assistant Chief of Training, one Company Captain, one Company Lieutenant and one Firefighter. The Board of Merit shall meet on call from the Chairperson of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
AWARD RECOMMENDATION PROCEDURE
The recommendation to cite any member of the North Branford Fire Department for acts as defined within the Awards listed above shall be provided in writing to the Fire Chief who shall present same to the Chairperson of the Board of Fire Commissioners. Upon receipt of this document, the Chairperson may call a meeting of the Board of Merit to discuss the actions and circumstances surrounding the incident. A vote shall be taken by the Board of Merit with a majority vote required for each award. The Fire Chief shall maintain a file containing all documents related to award recommendations and their recipients.
CLASS # 1MEDAL OF HONOR
The Medal of Honor shall be the highest award presented, and entitles a member to a rating in this class; the act under consideration should involve a degree of danger properly characterized as a great personal risk. This award shall consist of a medal and certificate; the medal shall be worn on the members dress uniform, 1” above the department badge.
CLASS # 2 MEDAL OF VALOR
The Medal of Valor shall be the second highest award presented, and entitles a member to a rating in this class; the act under consideration should involve a degree of danger properly characterized as an extreme personal risk. This award shall consist of a medal and certificate; the medal shall be worn on the members dress uniform, 1” above the department badge.
CLASS # 3MEDAL OF MERIT
The Medal of Merit shall be the third highest award presented, and entitles a member to a rating in this class; the act under consideration should involve a degree of danger properly characterized as an unusual personal risk. This award shall consist of a medal and certificate; the medal shall be worn on the members dress uniform, 1” above the department badge.
CLASS # 4MERITORIOUS CITATION RIBBON
The Meritorious Citation shall be awarded to a Department member who performs a courageous act that involves a degree of personal risk and does not meet the requirements for a Class # 3 Award. The service ribbon shall be worn directly above and centered to the name plate on the dress uniform.
CLASS # 5UNIT CITATION RIBBON
The Unit Citation shall be awarded to an individual Company and its members for outstanding operations and is dependent upon teamwork and cooperation. The Unit Citation award shall consist of a service ribbon and certificate. The service ribbon shall be worn directly above and centered to the name plate on the dress uniform.
NON-DEPARTMENT ISSUED AWARDS
Personnel who receive Medal or Service Ribbon type Awards from non-department organizations directly related to their actions as members of the North Branford Fire Department may wear this award on their Dress Uniform as outlined above.
AWARD MOUNTING SEQUENCE
Members who receive multiple awards shall attach the device to their Dress Uniform in the following manner:
MEDALS: When multiple medals are awarded to a member, the highest medal shall be attached to the Class A Uniform 1” above the Department badge and mounted toward the midline of the body. The next highest shall be placed inline and toward the proximal side above the body above the badge.
SERVICE RIBBONS:When multiple Service Ribbons are awarded to a member, the highest service ribbon award shall be worn directly above the name plate with others placed above and centered to the name plate.
Note: This Administrative Order supersedes previous documents related to Awards issued to members of the North Branford Fire Department.