Service Honours

The Service Honours awarded to members of the Unit (and earlier, the Corps) have changed over the years. But the basics have endured. Five Year Medal with bars, exchanged at 25 years' service for the coveted Gold Star. For both the medal and the star, a bar is awarded for every additional 2 years' service.

Fire Board Honours

	The Unit's first Service Honours were issued by the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board. The 5 year silver medal depicted a fire fighter at work with an old open fire appliance in the background. The ribbon was attached by a bar fashioned as a standpipe.
In 1938 -October- the first recorded recipient from the Auckland Fire Police Corps was Constable C Surman, a foundation member.
	In 1943 an "unofficial" service honour was started. Auckland Corps members who attended ten or more of the monthly meetings in any one year received the Silver Star good attendance award. If the member continued his record for a second year, he retained the award and usually wore it as a tie clasp. This award had been disbanded by the mid-1970s.

1958 The Fire Board's Gold Star for 25 years' service were awarded to Auckland Fire Police members for the first time when Captain George Hedlund and Lieutenant Ralph Wildish received theirs, marking also the Corps' 25th anniversary.

In 1967 -March- the Corps celebrated with a special presentation evening for a triple Gold Star event. Three eligible members, Cecil Copland, Leslie Chapman and Ernest Patterson, had their 25 year's service recognised.

National Fire Police Association Honours

In 1971 the National Fire Police Association was founded and it had minted Service Honours specifically for Fire Police which, in Auckland and many other cities and towns, replaced the Fire Board service awards. The silver medal was slightly smaller than the Board medals, with a small helmet and crossed axes in the centre, surrounded by a stylised Phoenix. The purple ribbon was attached by a bar fashioned like a ladder.

These Fire Board and Fire Police Association Service Honours were awarded in lieu of those inaugurated in 1879 by the United Fire Brigades' Association Inc., (UFBA). Firefighters belonging to Member Brigades of the Association were eligible. Fire Police, despite periodic applications over more than a century were repeatedly denied membership, and therefore, UFBA honours.

United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand (Inc) Honours

In 1984 (August), however, the Unit was advised, along with all other Fire Police in New Zealand, that it was now eligible to belong to the UFBA, and thus its Honours could now be awarded. The Fire Service made a special grant in November 1985 so that without personal expense Auckland Fire Police members could swap their Fire Police Association Honours for those of the UFBA.

	The silver, 5 year, medal shows a fire fighter at work, it is attached to the red ribbon by an elaborate fixture which includes a miniature shield showing crossed axes and helmet surmounted by a phoenix.		The UFBA Gold eight-pointed Star has a plain attachment to its purple ribbon with the pin at the top concealed behind a gold scroll with the letters U.F.B.A.
	Instituted in 1999, the UFBA 50 Year Medal comprises two different gold stars super-imposed with the "50 in gold letters on a red background. The purple ribbon is suspended by the same gold scroll as the 25 Year medal. There are 2 year bars for all 3 medals.

Royal Honours

In 1984 Fire Police also qualified for the New Zealand Fire Brigades' Long Service and Good Conduct Medal for 14 year's service, with a bar for every seven years thereafter. These are quite separate to, and in addition to, the UFBA Service Honours.

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Our Unit's Queen's Honours

Updated Wed 3-Dec-2025 14:08

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit R Carlyon (2006)** CFO G Teal (2024)

Queen's Service Medal DCFO R Bay (2022) SO   J Smith (2006)

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Our Unit's Other Honours

	International Year of the Volunteer Medal and Ribbon
	A United Nations honour, awarded to all members of the Unit who were serving during the International Year of the Volunteer - 2001
	In 2011, the United Nations decided to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Volunteer by awarding an 'International Year of the Volunteer plus 10' medal to all volunteers serving in 2011.
	And those who were awarded the International Year of the Volunteer medal in 2001 were awarded a bar, signifying 10 years’ service.
	2011 Canterbury Citation (Dress Distinction) and Certificate
	Awarded by the New Zealand Fire Service to recognise the contribution and support given by those members who deployed to Christchurch immediately following the earthquake of February 22nd 2011.
	DCFO R Bay, SO R Carlyon**, SO D Carnell**, QFF H Chisnall**, SSO R Cuthbert, SSO L Day**, SO C England, SO A Galloway**, QFF J Kerr**, QFF H Kyle**, SFF A McVeigh**, QFF P Mason-Riseborough**, QFF M Potter, QFF P Robinson**, QFF K Stillwell, QFF G Towers**, QFF J Watson.
	2011 Canterbury Citation Certificate
	Awarded by the New Zealand Fire Service to recognise support given to those members who deployed to Christchurch immediately following the earthquake of February 22nd 2011. CFO G Teal.
	Fire and Emergency Award for 25 Years Service
	Awarded by Fire and Emergency New Zealand to all personnel who serve 25 years (as of 1 October 2019), to recognise the committment they have shown Fire and Emergency and their communities throughout the country. SSO D Scott.
	** Member noted no longer serves with our brigade.

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Our Unit's UFBA Service Honours Updated Wed 3-Dec-2025 14:08

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Our Unit's Awards

Brigade Life Honorary Membership The Life Honorary Medal is bestowed on members who have given sterling service to the Unit, usually including those who have attained 25 years' service. GW Taylor G Davidson G Hedlund L Chapman R Wildish JG Patterson L Cammell B Sykes W Small R Davies L Beuth C Copeland RD Reid R Martin R Hedlund D Halcrow W Dil I Morrison J Smith W Smith P Reid * M Waters R Carlyon R Jones P McGeachen A Baldick M Manton J Pendleton L Nola D Ramsay F Neil P Duncan B Morgan G Wilson G Teal B Molloy K Ashton C England A Officer L Wright R Bay A Sampson D Scott K Stillwell * Mrs Pat Reid was not a member of the Unit but the UFBA agreed with members of the Fire Police that life membership was appropriate in recognition of her support of her husband, Captain Dick Reid, and her service over many years to the Unit.

UFBA Auckland Sub Association Life Honorary Membership The Sub-Association of the UFBA represents Brigades throughout Auckland. It bestows this award on long-serving members or those who render special services. Most members serving at the time received the honour for their assistance organising the 2006 UFBA Annual Conference in Auckland. J Smith R Carlyon A Officer

Auckland Fire Police / Operational Support Statuette This unique award is the Unit's exclusive gift to members who attain their 25 year Gold Star. SO Chris England was the model for talented sculptor Graham Monk, a career Senior Fire-Fighter in Auckland, who in this work has realistically depicted Fire Police / Operational Support on duty. R Jones J Smith A Baldick M Manton L Nola B Morgan P Duncan F Neil P McGeachen J Pendleton D Ramsay M Waters G Wilson G Teal B Molloy C England R Carlyon K Ashton A Officer L Wright K Stillwell R Kuysten R Bay D Scott