Nominate

The first responder tradition does not condone self-recognition; therefore, a person may not recommend himself/herself for an award. There are two types of nominations: organizational and personal. Organizational nominations allow the First Responder Institute to enroll 911 organizations in our database. This organizational registration is needed for your local police officers, firefighters and EMTs to be considered eligible for individual awards. Accountability…

Step One: Organizational Registration

To make an organizational nomination we need to know several pieces of information. *Required info












Step Two: Personal Nominations

Anyone can recommend a uniformed First Responder for an award.  It is the responsibility of any individual having personal knowledge of a valorous act, outstanding achievement, or remarkable service believed to warrant the award of a decoration, to submit a formal recommendation into the uniformed first responder command channels for consideration. It is preferred that the recommendations be submitted through this website. Anonymous recommendations will not be considered.








Step Three: Nomination Review

The First Responder Institute’s medals are nationally recognized, but locally awarded.  The first review occurs at the county level.  A panel of five people in the community where the act of valor occured will make a decision on the recommendation for an award.  This panel will have representation of the fire service, law enforcement, EMS and the county emergency manager, plus one civilian.  All county level awards will be audited at the state level by a similar panel.  The state panel can upgrade awards, and can make recommendations for federal awards.

Step Four: Donation To Purchase Awards

The medals can be purchased by citizens to honor American First Responders.  Individual medals cost $20.  To simplify bookkeeping, please make donations in multiples of $20 .  Half of the donated money ($10 per medal) will be set aside in the Homeland Heroes Fund to provide for the needs of the surviving spouses of First Responders who have died in the line of duty.