Medal Day is an annual event presented by the HFD Valor and Service Awards Committee in October of each year.
Every year members of the Houston Fire Department nominate fellow firefighters for going above and beyond the call of duty including suppression, medical emergency and service. The committee votes on the nominations and awards firefighters during a formal ceremony.
Committee Chair, District Chief Josef Gregory (Training Facility)
Senior Captain Don Hoyt (54-C)
Captain Ken Rammrath (76-A)
E/O Michael Mire (76-A)
The Medals
Medal of Honor
Awarded to a member who performs a personal act in a courageous manner in the protection of life or lives while engaged in the mediation of a fire, medical emergency, rescue, hazardous material incident or other type of response.
Medal of Valor
Awarded to a member who performs a personal act in a courageous manner in the protection of life or lives while engaged in the mediation of a fire, medical emergency, rescue, hazardous material incident or other type of response.
Unit Valor Medal
Awarded to a unit such as a company, station, division, or group of individuals who, while operating as a team under hazardous conditions, performed their duties in an exemplary manner significant enough to warrant an award of valor.
Purple Heart Award
Awarded to a member who has become victim to a serious injury or death while engaged in an emergency operations incident, or training evolution.
Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded to a member who has distinguished themselves by exceptional service and/or performance while assigned to a unit, company, task force, division, or special project.
Fire Chief's Commendation Medal
Awarded to recognize single acts of merit or service in a non-emergency function such as training, administration, education, prevention, public and community service. Presented to an individual who had increased their unit, division, or department efficiency or effectiveness.
Dennis Holder Memorial Medal
Awarded to a classified member who has distinguished themselves while performing voluntary duties within the scope of the Houston Fire Department.
Dennis Elkins Memorial Medal
Awarded to a classified member for outstanding job performance while serving in a staff position. The members must have distinguished themselves through excellence while assigned to a special project or by making a significant improvement in the operation of the Houston Fire Department.
Unit Meritorious Achievement Medal
Awarded to a unit such as a company, station, division, or group of individuals who worked as a team in the accomplishment of a common goal, other than valor.
The Placement of the Medals and Ribbons
In an attempt to display a uniform dress code for formal affairs, and keep the accepted standards displayed by similar fire departments, HFD will adjust the following guidelines.
Rules and Regulations Reference Number I - 01, Section 10.02, addresses the dress uniform policy to include a dress jacket, whether purchased or issued.
Valor and Service Awards Reference Number I - 11, Section 6.08 and 6.09 address the wearing of ribbons and medals. Section 6.08 and 6.09 will be modified to include the wearing of a nametag and the placement of awards.
6.08 Houston Fire Department approved dress uniform jackets will have a nametag worn in the following manner.
A. The nametag will be placed centered on the right side of the jacket parallel to the top of the badge.
B. The nametag may be HFD issued or members may purchase one to match the color of their insignia. (Gold or Silver)
C. Ribbons will be worn on the dress uniform shirt only, and in the following manner.
1. ¼ inch above the member’s nametag and centered.
2. A single row of ribbons are worn (3 per row) and will be placed in descending order from the top and from the member’s right, centered above the nametag. The second row will be placed ¼ inch above the nametag and the first row ¼ inch above the second. Note: when one is looking at another’s ribbons, they will be in descending order; just as one would read words from a book – top to bottom and left to right
6.09 Medals may be placed on a ribbon bar to established good order and appearance,
They will only be worn on the HFD dress jacket (three medals per row); they will be placed in the following manner.
A. The top of the medal(s) shall be a single row of multiple medals (three per row)
and will be placed in descending order from the member’s right; ¼ inch below the nametag and centered.
B. If two rows of medals are worn (three per row), they will be placed in descending
order from the top, and from the member’s right, centered ¼ inch below the first row. Note: when one is looking at another’s medals, they will be in descending order; just as one would read words from a book – top to bottom and left to right.
At the present time, the badge, nametag, and medals are the only items authorized on the dress jacket.
