The National Emergency Medal is an award of the Australian honours system given for sustained service during a nationally significant emergency. The medal was established by Her Majesty The Queen in October 2011. The medal is awarded for events specifically set out by regulation or may be awarded upon the recommendation of the National Emergency Medal Committee for significant service.
The National Emergency Medal is a circular medal, ensigned with the Australian Coat of Arms. The obverse depicts a central image of a Golden Wattle branch. Surrounding the image at the edge is a further depiction of the flowering wattle. The center of the reverse has the same border as the obverse, but in the center it details by inscription the award and the recipient.
The National Emergency Medal ribbon colours match the colours of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal ribbon. The colours of the ribbon are gold and eucalyptus green. Gold symbolises the Australian sun, optimism and hope. Eucalyptus green complements the symbolism of the medal design. The seven golVic Fires 09[edit]
Clasps
Vic Fires 09
Those who performed service during the Black Saturday bushfires and meet certain criteria are recognized with the "Vic Fires 09" clasp. Requirements include:
Service must be in the protection of lives and property, or in the service of interests, that are not their own, in direct response to the emergency, including support that enables or facilitates the emergency response;
The geographical area is the State of Victoria
The qualifying period begins on 28 January 2009 and ends on 5 March 2009
The minimum duration of service that a person is required to have completed to qualify is fourteen days in paid service, including at least two days in the period beginning on 7 February and ending on 14 February 2009. For unpaid service the required length is seven days, including at least one day in the period beginning on 7 February and ending on 14 February 2009
Qld 2010-2011
Those who performed service during the Queensland Floods and Cyclone Yasi and met certain criteria are recognized by the "Qld 2010–11" clasp. Requirements include:
Service must be in the protection of lives and property, or in the service of interests, that are not their own, in direct response to the emergency, including support that enables or facilitates the emergency response;
The geographical area is the State of Queensland
The qualifying period begins on 21 December 2010 and ends on 14 February 2011
The minimum duration of service that a person is required to have completed to qualify is twenty eight days of paid service or fourteen days of unpaid service
d coloured bands represent Australia’s six states, with the seventh representing the territories.