HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 105.01 REVISED 9-2014_STARSBeaumont Fire -Rescue Services
SOG 105.01 — Special Thanks & Recognition System (STARS)
Effective: 1/5/2012
Revised: 9/5/2014
Replaces:
I. Guiding Philosophy
We believe that acts of selflessness, including bravery, exceptional customer service, and
community involvement should be properly recognized. We work together as a team to insure
that these acts are promptly and effectively communicated. We review nominations in a
consistent manner, so that awards are appropriately classified and our recognition system
maintains its credibility.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define the Special Thanks and Recognition System
(STARS) used to recognize the service of department members and citizen partners.
III. Goals
A. Define the awards categories.
B. Outline nomination and notification responsibilities.
C. Outline the proper display of service award medals, citation bars, and related
appurtenances.
IV. Award Categories
A. Medals with Citation Bars
1. Medal of * Honor — To receive the MOH, the firefighter,
while on or off duty, under extreme hazardous conditions, in
which the member is confronted with imminent personal
risk, and has full knowledge of that risk, performs an act of
conspicuous heroism which furthers the highest traditions of
the fire service.
2. Medal of Valor — To receive the MOV, the firefighter, while
on or off duty, under hazardous conditions, in which the
member is confronted with imminent personal risk, but had
no prior knowledge of that risk, performs an act of
conspicuous heroism which furthers the highest traditions of
the fire service.
14
SOG 105.01 — Special Thanks & Recognition System (STARS) Page 1 of 6
JX
f,
3. Medal of Bravery — To receive the MOB, the firefighter,
while on or off duty, performs an act of distinguished
bravery and stamina in adverse conditions of fire,
environment, weather and/or materials.
4. Medal of Leadership — Presented to an individual who is /
nominated by his/her fellow members, and subsequently"
selected by the Management Team, who characterizes the`°
finest attributes of positive leadership and integrity.
5. Meritorious Conduct — To receive the MC medal, the
firefighter, while on or off duty, performs a notable act ofX
distinction through contribution of considerable time and
effort that increases operational efficiency of the
department reflecting the integrity and devotion of the "
recipient.
6. Firefighter of the Year— Presented to an individual who is '!®
nominated by his/her fellow members, and subsequently
selected by the Management Team, who characterizes the -�
finest attributes of professionalism and service.
7. Individual Commendation — Awarded to a member fora
credible act in the line of duty which is commendable in
nature, displaying admirable initiative and
accomplishment. The service or action may take place
either on or off duty. MEN
B. Citation Bars
1. Unit Commendation — Awarded to a group of two or
more fire department members who have collectively
performed in an outstanding manner worthy of
recognition. The service or action may take place either
on- or off-duty.
2. Service Pins — Awarded to members in five year increments based on
years of service to the department.
35+ Years of Service
SOG 105.01 — Special Thanks & Recognition System (STARS) Page 2 of 6
3. Retired Service Award — Commendation pin for
members awarded at the time of the member's
retirement.
4. Letter of Appreciation — May be written by co-workers, supervisors, or
citizens at any time to express appreciation for service or actions.
C. First Responder & Citizen Partners
1. Appreciation Award — Awarded to a person or group outside the fire
department who has shown exceptional or consistent support of the
Department.
2. Valor Award — Awarded to a person or group outside the fire department
who exhibits selflessness under hazardous conditions to rescue or protect
another, or provide extraordinary assistance to fire department members in
a life saving effort. This recommendation is normally made by fire
department members who responded to the incident.
VII. Approved Distinctions & Special Teams Insiania
A. Approved Distinctions
1. Firefighter/Paramedic — Given to those members of
the department who have achieved and maintain
credentialed paramedic certification.
2. Honor Guard — Given to those members of the
department who achieve and maintain active status on
the department's Honor Guard.
B. Special Teams Insignia
1. Hazardous Materials Response Team — Given to
those members of the department who achieve and -,
maintain active status on the Hazardous Materials
Response Team.
2. Water Response & Recovery Team — Given to those
members of the department who achieve and maintain
active status on the Water Response & Recovery Team.
3. Mildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Team — Given
to those members of the department who achieve and
maintain active status on the Wildland/Urban Interface
Firefighting Team.
NOTE: Any member not maintaining his/her certification status or who
resigns or is removed from active team status will relinquish his/her
respective insignia(s). Should the member fail to return the insignia(s), the
member will be monetarily responsible for immediate replacement. Upon
resignation/removal from any of the special teams or for failure to
SOG 105.01 — Special Thanks & Recognition System (STARS) Page 3 of 6
maintain paramedic certification, that member will no longer be permitted
to display the insignia on the department uniform.
VII. Nomination & Notification Responsibilities
A. Letters of Appreciation may be communicated via email or hard copy. Hard copy
letters will be scanned and distributed to the member(s) and his/her chain of
command via email.
B. Any department member or worthy citizen may be nominated for a medal or
commendation by any other member of the Department.
C. The nomination must be forwarded through the chain of command to the Fire
Chief in writing (preferably email). Nominations should include the following
information:
1. Name of nominee(s)
2. Date and time of action (include incident number if applicable)
3. Narrative describing the act, accomplishment, performance or other
justification for the nomination
4. Name of the person submitting the nomination
D. Narratives justifying the award or commendation must be compelling and include
all pertinent information.
E. For Management Team reference, the immediate supervisor(s) within the chain of
command should provide his/her written assessment of the merits of the
nomination when forwarding it through the chain of command.
F. When a nomination is received by the Section Chief he/she will have it placed on
the agenda for review by the department's Management Team at the next
scheduled meeting.
G. Management Team members will review the nominations received at the Section
Chief level and provide input and recommendations to the Fire Chief.
H. The Fire Chief will insure that:
1. The person submitting the nomination is notified of the final disposition.
2. The individual(s) receiving letters, commendations or awards are notified
and congratulated.
3. Copies of nominations, letters, commendation or awards are placed in the
recipient's personnel files.
4. Arrangements are made each year for formal presentation of awards.
I. Nominations for Firefighter of the Year must be submitted no later than January
31 st each year.
VIII. Displaying of Service Award Citations, Medals, and Appurtenances
A. Order of Distinction — The Department has established an Order of Distinction
for categories of issued service awards. An order of distinction is a sequential
SOG 105.01 — Special Thanks & Recognition System (STARS) Page 4 of 6
hierarchy of nominal importance for issued years of service, award citations, and
medals. Awards are worn at the option of the recipient when not prohibited during
the normal scope of the member's duties.
B. Display of Award Citations — ALL award citations and special team pins will be
worn on the LEFT chest side of the department uniform. The pins will be placed
in order of distinction below the department badge using the stitched military
seam to center awards on the pocket flap.
1. Citations are worn in order of distinction from the wearer's right to left, in
one or more rows with a maximum of three (3) pins per row, with no
space between rows.
2. The highest distinction citation awarded shall start the first row.
3. Subsequent awards will be placed in order of distinction and in
alphabetical order for special teams pins (up to three bars wide).
4. If a member should have an odd number of pins beyond three (3), then the
row of even numbered pins will be centered above the odd numbered pins
by distinction (SEE PHOTOGRAPHS on page 6 below for examples of 4
& 5 bar displays).
5. Members will not wear multiple award citations of the same category. A
numeric appurtenance will be issued for citations awarded of the same
category.
C. Order of Distinction by Category of Award Citation
1. Medal of Honor
2. Medal of Valor
3. Medal of Bravery
4. Firefighter of the Year
5. Meritorious Conduct
6. Individual Commendation
7. Unit Citation
8. Service Pin
D. Distinctions and Special Teams Insignia — Special team insignia will be worn
on the LEFT chest side of the department uniform. The pins will be placed after
award citations and service pins in alphabetical order using the stitched military
seam to center awards on the pocket flap.
1. Firefighter/Paramedic
2. Hazardous Materials Response Team
3. Water Response & Recovery Team
4. Honor Guard
5. Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Team
SOG 105.01 — Special Thanks & Recognition System (STARS) Page 5 of 6
Four Bar Display
Five Bar Display
SOG 105.01 — Special Thanks & Recognition System (STARS) Page 6 of 6