NORTH CAROLINA STATE
FIREFIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION
Annual Awards
Firefighter of the Year Award
(Meritorious Service)
Valor Award
(Medal of Valor)
October 2016
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR AWARD
(Meritorious Service)
Purpose:
The purpose of this award is to recognize a present member of an organized fire department who has served his department, community, state, and or nation above and beyond normal expectations during his service as a firefighter in the year since the previous award.
Criteria:
The candidate shall have demonstrated commitment to their department, community, and State; and have contributed in a positive manner to the enrichment of the fire department and community they represent. This award may be awarded posthumously.
Eligibility:
Any person who is a member of a recognized fire service organization in the State of North Carolina and also a member of the N.C. State Firefighters’ Association is eligible.
Nominations:
The nomination must be submitted by one of the following:
- Any member of a volunteer, combination, or career fire department in North Carolina.
- Any N.C. Fire Service Association (by letter from association President)
The nomination shall be submitted on the provided application and include and or illustrate positions, deeds, accomplishments, awards of distinction, length of service, and any other related pertinent information.
The nomination shall also include efforts on behalf of other worthwhile community services and awards of distinction.
Review of nominations will be conducted by the NCSFA Awards Committee.
Nominations for “acts of bravery” will be applied for under the NCSFA Valor Award.
Applications:
Applications will be completed and submitted to the NCSFA Executive Director no later than May 1st annually.
Applications will be signed or countersigned by the active Chief of Department and the applicant submitter.
Individuals nominated by a partner State or Regional Association shall be signed by that association’s current President.
Awards:
The annual award will be presented at the NCSFA Annual Conference Banquet to the recipient or their family.
The award will be presented by the NCSFA President and the previous year’s award recipient.
A service pin, medal, certificate, and plaque commemorating the accomplishment(s) will be awarded to the recipient.
The award presented each year will be recommended by the NCSFA Awards Committee to the NCSFA Executive Board at the June board meeting.
The recipients’ name will be placed in a location of prominence in the NCSFA office as a remembrance of their service.
VALOR AWARD
(Medal of Valor)
Purpose:
To recognize a firefighter (or firefighters) of an organized fire department who have, at great personal risk, been credited with saving or attempting to save a human life in an extreme emergency situation in the past year since the previous award.
This recognition of valor shall be demonstrated by an individual or individuals going above and beyond the normal call of duty as indicated by the nomination and judged by the NCSFA Awards Committee.
Criteria:
Award of the Medal of Valor will be to the individual or individuals who while as active members of the North Carolina Fire Service, distinguish themselves conspicuously above and beyond the call of duty and at the risk of his or her life, by exercising courage and intrepidity. The act or acts of heroism must have required a risk of personal safety or life; and the individual have displayed personal bravery or self-sacrifice so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her fellow firefighters.
The act justifying award of the Medal of Valor must be performed while engaged in emergency scene operations. These actions are to have been accomplished in a manner that would not discredit their actions as reckless or ill-advised.
Incontestable proof of the valorous act will be required from the representing Fire Chief and or submitter for each recommendation for the Valor Award.
The valorous act must have occurred in the previous year since the prior award.
The Valor Award may be awarded posthumously.
Eligibility:
Any person who is a member of a recognized fire service organization in the State of North Carolina and also a member of the N.C. State Firefighters’ Association is eligible.
Nominations:
The nomination must be submitted by one of the following:
- Any member of a volunteer, combination, or career fire department in North Carolina.
- Any N.C. Fire Service Association (by letter from association President)
The nomination shall be submitted on the provided application. Individuals or multiple individuals of a team involved in a heroic lifesaving event involving great personal risk may be submitted. Groups may be submitted on a single application form.
The nomination shall include a complete description of the event, deeds or actions taken, the life peril that was involved, the results, and any other pertinent information.
Review of nominations will be conducted by the NCSFA Awards Committee.
Applications:
Applications will be completed and submitted to the NCSFA Executive Director no later than May 1st annually.
Prior to submission to the NCSFA, applications will be signed or countersigned by the active Chief of Department and the applicant submitter.
Individuals nominated by a partner State or Regional Association shall be signed by that association’s current President.
Awards:
The annual award(s) will be presented at the NCSFA Annual Conference Banquet to the recipient(s) or their family(s).
The Valor Award will be presented by the NCSFA President with the NCSFA Board present.
A service pin, medal, certificate, and plaque commemorating the accomplishment(s) will be awarded to the recipient(s).
The award(s) presented each year will be recommended by the NCSFA Awards Committee to the NCSFA Executive Board at the June Executive Board Meeting.
The recipients’ name will be placed in a location of prominence in the NCSFA office as a remembrance of their valorous act(s).
NCSFA AWARDS COMMITTEE
NCSFA Awards Committee
The NCSFA Awards Committee shall consist of the following individuals:
- The current President of the NCSFA
- The current 1st Vice President of the NCSFA
- The Senior Director of the NCSFA Executive Board
- The Executive Director of the NCSFA
- Three additional members which shall consist of one member from each Regional Association Board (East, West, Piedmont) appointed by the representative NCSFA Director.
The Awards Committee will meet at a time and date determined by the NCSFA President after May 1st annually to review the award submissions prior to the June Executive Board Meeting.
Recommendations for the awards will be presented by the Awards Committee to the Executive Board at the June Executive Board Meeting.
The Executive Board will approve the annual awards at the June Executive Board Meeting.
