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Awards

Medal of Valor Class I
Class 1 Medal of Valor

Class 1 Medal of Valor

Distinguishes himself / herself by extraordinary heroism in line of duty, generally at extreme risk of life.

  • Medal:  Gold, white, and blue
  • Bar:  Two gold stars on white field
  • Ribbon:  Red

Class 2 Medal of Valor
Class 2 Medal of Valor

Class 2 Medal of Valor

Heroism in line of duty not sufficient to warrant first or second awards.

  • Medal:  Gold, white, and blue
  • Bar:  One gold star on white field
  • Ribbon:  Yellow

Class 3 Medal of Valor
Class 3 Medal of Valor

Class 3 Medal of Valor

Distinguishes himself / herself for heroic action in line of duty.

  • Medal:  Gold and red
  • Bar:  One gold star on blue field
  • Windsor Knot:  Blue

Length of Service Awards

Service awards are issued by fire departments, at their expense, to their members who have completed specified length of service.

The awards are as follows:

  • 10 years - Bar:  background red enamel, one star. Border and star silver for firefighters, gold for officers
  • 20 Years - Bar:  background red enamel, two stars. Border and star silver for firefighters, gold for officers
  • 30 Years - Bar:  background red enamel, three stars. Border and star silver for firefighters, gold for officers

Letter of Merit

A letter of merit may be awarded to an individual, individuals, or an organization, for any act demonstrating superior performance or teamwork which does not qualify for any other award.


Meritorious Service Medal

The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to individuals or agencies whose actions the Committee feels have had a significant impact on the Fire or EMS Service in the state of New Hampshire. Individuals will be awarded a medal and certificate, agencies will receive a medal mounted on a plaque, with a description of the action and the names of those involved engraved.

  • Medal:  Blackinton A3282, gold, state seal center, rocker reads "Meritorious Service" with a green star at each end of rocker
  • Bar:  Background solid green, gold border
  • Windsor Knot:  Green

Paul W. Sypek Medal of Valor
Paul W. Sypek Medal of Valor

Paul W. Sypek Medal of Valor

The highest award which may be given for conspicuous bravery at extreme risk to life, above and beyond the call of duty, in effort to protect and save a human life.

  • Medal:  Gold, red, and blue
  • Bar:  Three gold stars on white field
  • Neck Ribbon:  Red, white, and blue

Telecommunications Medal

Awarded to a dispatcher, who by his/her actions renders dispatching/support action which has an important bearing on the outcome of an emergency incident or fire, usually associated with, but not limited to, an incident involving the saving of a human life.

  • Medal:  Blackinton A2041, gold, with A3907 center (blue lightning in hand), rocker to read "Telecommunications"
  • Bar:  Background light blue, gold border
  • Windsor Knot:  Light blue

Unit Citation
Unit Citation

Unit Citations

Awarded to all members of a fire or rescue company, or group of fire firefighters operating together as a company, who perform meritorious service at the scene of a fire or emergency. This award may be granted in conjunction with an individual award of a Medal of Valor, for the members supporting the heroic, or for a group action that does not warrant a Medal of Valor award to an individual. One person, as designated by the Chief of the Department, shall receive the award for the entire unit.

  • Bar:  Red background, blue, white, blue vertical stripes
Plaque for station or department

Individuals who have been awarded the unit citation more than once may display a bar holder in silver or gold with the words "unit citation" and the number of times they have been awarded the citation engraved.