Search and Rescue Task Force

Awards and Ribbons

Award Requirements

Medal of Honor - (posthumously awarded) – awarded for line-of-duty death.

Medal of Valor – awarded for an on-duty act of heroism, self-sacrifice and personal bravery so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual for gallantry and risk of life involved.

Purple Heart (previously Purple Cross) Medal – awarded for on-duty injury while involved in a specific mission or off-duty injury, only if authorized by the Chief in consultation with their Advisory Council.  Hospitalization is usually required.

Life Saving Medal – awarded for saving the life of a victim while on-duty.  This may also be awarded to several specialists involved in a search where the victim without doubt would have died without the intervention of the search team.  The Chief may approve this award for an off duty event depending on the circumstances of the individual event. 

Distinguished Service Medal – awarded for on-duty service in which the individuals distinguish themselves by extraordinary actions over a period of time.

Commendation Award – awarded for an individual who distinguishes themselves for heroism, extraordinary achievement or meritorious service.  This award may also be presented for acts of valor that are a lesser degree than required for award of the Medal of Valor.

Achievement Award – awarded for an individual who distinguishes themselves by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the Commendation Award.

Community Service Award – awarded for service on 25 missions or details.  Each 25 missions/details receive an oak leaf cluster.  125 missions/details is awarded a silver leaf cluster.

U.S. SAR Task Force Service Award – awarded for 3 years of active service with the Task Force.  Each 3 years of active service, a bronze oak leaf cluster is awarded and, a silver oak leaf cluster for 15 years of active service.

Educational Achievement Award – awarded for each 10 certified courses of instruction successfully completed in the public service field.  A silver oak leaf cluster is awarded for 50 certified courses.

MSO/MLSO/ISAR/MLPI and ICS Ribbon – awarded for successful completion of the Manager of Search Operations or Inland Search and Rescue or Managing the Lost Person Incident and Incident Command Systems programs.

FEMA CERT 2 Ribbon – awarded for successful completion of the 40 hour advanced training (Basic CERT, HazMat, Structural Collapse Operations, First Aid/BBP, Emergency Response to Terrorism).

CISM Ribbon – awarded for successful completion of 32 hours of training (16 must be Basic CISM) sponsored by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.

Animal Rescue Ribbon – awarded for successful completion of 16 hours of training in a sponsored course such as the FEMA Animal Rescue Awareness & Preparedness training program.

First Aid/CPR/BBP Ribbon – awarded for successful completion of First Aid/CPR/BBP sponsored by an authorized agency (American Safety & Health Institute, Red Cross, National Safety Council, etc.).  Certification must be maintained.

Child Survival Instructor Ribbon – awarded for successful completion of the Child Survival Instructor training program and having instructed at least one class.

O.C. Ribbon – awarded for successful completion of the public safety officer OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) defensive training program.  Certification must be maintained.

Crime Scene Search, Evidence Preservation, Testifying in Court Ribbon – awarded for successful completion of the prescribed training program.

Basic SAR Operations Ribbon – awarded for successful completion of Basic Search and Rescue Operations training program, Emergency Response to Terrorism Program and Hazardous Materials Program.

Recruiting Ribbon – awarded for recruiting 5 probationary specialists.  A bronze oak leaf cluster is awarded for each additional 5 and silver oak leaf cluster for 25.

NASAR Member Ribbon – awarded for individual membership in the National Association for Search and Rescue.  Membership must be maintained.

DERA Member Ribbon – awarded for individual membership in the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association.  Membership must be maintained.

ICISF Member Ribbon – awarded for individual membership in the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.  Membership must be maintained.

Awards Not Shown On Chart Above

9-11 Commendation Bar - awarded only to those personnel that were involved in assisting in the September 11, 2001 terrorist event mission in New York City and who were recipients of the Task Force Award of Commendation or Achievement for this mission.  The 9-11 Commendation Bar is only available through Headquarters.

Government Commendation Ribbon - awarded to personnel that have received a Commendation or Citation from a government official such as a Commissioner, Mayor, Governor or official body such as the House of Representatives, Senate, etc.  If the Citation is a departmental citation, only those personnel involved in the mission or event will be permitted to wear this ribbon.  Subsequent Commendations or Citations will be recognized with an oak leaf cluster.  The Government Commendation Ribbon is only available through Headquarters.

Scuba/Diver insignia for certification as a diver.  Certification must be maintained.  The Scuba/Diver insignia is only available through Headquarters.

Medical insignia may be worn by those with the following certification:  MD, DO, PA, PhD, Psychologist, RN, LPN, Veterinarian and Dentist.    Licensing and Certification must be maintained.  The Medical insignia is only available through Headquarters.

Chaplain insignia may be worn by qualified and certified Chaplains and Clergy for which the Task Force has your records on file.   Licensing must be maintained and updated copies sent to Headquarters.  The Chaplain insignia is only available through Headquarters.

Field Medical insignia may be worn by those with 1 of the following certifications:  Paramedic, EMT, First Responder, Combat Lifesaver  OR  with 4 of the following certifications:  First Aid, CPR, bloodborne pathogens, CISM Basic, CISM Peer Support, CISM Advanced, Animal First Aid (similar courses may be used as a waiver upon presentation to the Chief)  AND   with 1 or more medical related instructor certifications such as first-aid, CPR, bloodborne pathogens, animal first aid, wilderness first aid, AED, etc.  Certifications must be maintained.   The Field Medical insignia is only available through Headquarters.

Communications insignia for HAM Communication Operator and designated Communications Officer.  Certifications and licensing must be maintained.  The Communications insignia is only available through Headquarters.

Flight Pilot Wings insignia for those successfully completing, being certified and maintaining pilot certification.  Certifications and licensing must be maintained.  The Flight Pilot Wings insignia are only available through Headquarters.

Flight Crew Wings insignia for those successfully completing aircraft crew training and certification (not worn if pilot wings are worn).  The Flight Crew Wings insignia are only available through Headquarters.

Military Emergency Management Specialist Medal / Ribbon - awarded for successful completion of 100 hours of training ( 10 courses - approximately 500 question examinations ) from FEMA.  This program is only available through the State Guard Association of the United States and is only available to SGAUS active members.

Emergency Management Specialist Ribbon - awarded for successful completion of 200 hours of training ( 10 courses - approximately 500 question examinations ) from FEMA.  This program is only available to Task Force Personnel and Mutual-Aid Organizations.

Emergency Management Expert Ribbon - awarded for successful completion of 200 hours of training ( 20 courses - approximately 1000 question examinations ) from FEMA.  This program is only available to Task Force Personnel and Mutual-Aid Organizations.

Emergency Management Master Ribbon - awarded for successful completion of 300 hours of training ( 30 courses - approximately 1500 question examinations ) from FEMA.  This program is only available to Task Force Personnel and Mutual-Aid Organizations.