Awards

NOMINATION PROCESS FOR AWARDS

Any employee of the Department may recommend a person for an award. The recommendation must include the following:

1. The requested award associated with nomination,
2. time, and location of the incident or event; including the incident report where appropriate,
3. a statement of eligibility which outlines the person's eligibility for that award.

Guidelines for statement of eligibility:

1. Must contain a paragraph the explains the background/situation justifying the nomination.
2. Must contain a paragraph that clearly connects the act, behavior, actions, etc. of the person(s) to the recommended award criteria,

The award recommendation must be emailed to the Awards and Recognition Committee at fire-awards@ucdavis.edu. The Awards and Recognition Committee will acknowledge receipt of the recommendation if requested by the sender.

EMPLOYEE AND CITIZEN RECOGNITION PROGRAM

It is the policy of the UC Davis Fire Department to appropriately recognize members of the Department, on or off duty, or members of the community, who perform an act of distinct heroism or who provide an outstanding service to the Department, or to the public safety of the community.

A member of the Fire Department is any employee of the Department.

FIRE CHIEF’S AWARDS AND RECOGNITION COMMITTEE

A selection board composed of a cross section of Fire Department members are appointed by the Fire Chief. The board will review the recommendations and acts for each individual nominated, select those persons who are to receive an award, and determine under which category they will be honored.

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

Awards will be presented annually in, or during, an appropriate ceremony by the Fire Chief or his or her representative, with the exception of: Certificates of Commendation; Unit Citation/Commendations; Individual Citation/Commendations; Safety Awards; and Citizen Lifesaving Awards, which may be presented during the course of the year.

There is no limit placed on the number of awards that may be made to any one individual or the number awarded, in total, during any one year.

Recognition by Outside Entities

Selection approval of members to receive recognition by a non-departmental organization will be made by the Fire Chief and/or his representative.

When selection is made by the Fire Chief and/or his or her representative, the Awards Committee Coordinator will coordinate and process the award.

When an award/commendation is made to a Fire Department member, a copy will be placed in the member's personnel file as a matter of permanent record.

Award Categories

Departmental Awards of Excellence: Blue

Annual Awards of Distinction: Red

Citizen/Partner Recognition Awards: Gold

Medal of Valor

The Medal of Valor is the highest honor bestowed by the UC Davis Fire Department. The purpose of this award is to recognize UC Davis Fire Department employees for extraordinary service. Nominees are employees who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism far above and beyond the normal call of duty. They have put their own lives at risk to render assistance to save human life or property.

Charles Prather Leadership Award

The Leadership Award is awarded to any UCDFD employee who displays superior performance that has demonstrated the ability to motivate others to positive action and inspire others to seek solutions to problems; and long-term commitment to the values and mission of UC Davis Fire Department, demonstrating visionary and sustained long-range planning and strategic thought.

Fire Chief's Citation of Excellence

The Fire Chief’s Citation of Excellence is awarded annually to a person or persons who through an event or program they created have elevated the reputation of the campus fire department and the UC Davis campus as a whole. The event or program will be a representation of the department’s values and seeks to recognize those who selflessly go above and beyond.

Fire Chief's Superior Accomplishment Commendation

The Fire Chief's Superior Accomplishment Commendation is awarded to any UCDFD individual or team for an accomplishment that makes a significant contribution toward achievement of UC Davis Fire Department’s mission. Accomplishments recognized by this certificate should be substantial in impact and worthy of recognition at the Chief's level.

Superior performance resulting in an exceptional contribution to UC Davis Fire Department, such as completion of a major project or task in a significantly shorter period of time than expected; and

Achievement clearly and unquestionably above normal job requirements.

Considerations include the degree to which the accomplishment necessitated that the employee(s) expend personal effort beyond that normally expected; amount and nature of ingenuity, initiative, and creative effort displayed.

Outstanding Community Service Award

Criteria for Nomination:

Awarded to a member of the Fire Department in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the UC Davis community (in a capacity other than their usual assignment/department) or another non-profit organization in the greater community.

Nominations are accepted to recognize achievement of a singular outstanding event or the continuous outstanding and dedicated service the individual has provided over a long period of time.

Nominations may recognize:

Long-serving high achievement for a local not-for-profit community organization, neighborhood group or association, or the University community.

A record of significant and sustained community service such as volunteering with charitable, nonprofit organizations, or within the University community.
A nominee who has demonstrated any of the following:

“Leading the charge” in order to initiate a community project or University initiative outside of their usual assignment.
Serving as an inspiration to others through his or her persistent excellence either at the University (in a capacity other than their usual assignment) or in the general community.
Helping a local nonprofit community or University project that had a positive impact on individuals.

Safety, Health, & Wellness Award

Awarded for an outstanding and/or exemplary act or accomplishment by a UCDFD member with regard to the safety of department members.

The Safety Award is used to recognize individuals or teams making a significant contribution to the health and safety of UC Davis Fire Department’s workplace(s), resulting in the prevention of workplace injuries, accidents, or illnesses.

The Safety, Health, and Wellness Award is designed to support the NFFF and USFA initiatives to reduce firefighter injuries and illness. The Illness & Injury Prevention Award recognizes success and excellence in developing and implementing an injury- or illness-prevention or vehicle-safety program. Typical types of programs that may qualify include: physical and physical fitness, wellness, cancer prevention, and vehicle safety.

Firefighter of the Year

Superior performance and dedication to the protection of life and property; commitment to the values and mission of UC Davis Fire Department, and to the safety and well-being of fellow firefighters; and

Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team; and

Achievement clearly and unquestionably above normal job requirements.

Considerations include the degree to which the employee expends personal effort

beyond that normally expected, including on-the-job activities as well as community service.

Student EMT of the Year

Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team; and

Achievement clearly and unquestionably above normal job requirements.

Considerations include the degree to which the employee expends personal effort

beyond that normally expected, including on-the-job activities as well as community service.

Student Firefighter of the Year

Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team; and

Achievement clearly and unquestionably above normal job requirements.

Considerations include the degree to which the employee expends personal effort

beyond that normally expected, including on-the-job activities as well as community service.

Outstanding Community Partner Award

Many individuals and organizations make outstanding contributions to UC Davis Fire Department in the form of labor, support, and more. This award recognizes those who have served as irreplaceable partners in the accomplishment of UC Davis Fire Department’s mission.

Individuals, organizations, groups, associations, volunteers, and others who are external to UC Davis Fire Department are eligible

Criteria for Nomination:

1. Superior performance that demonstrates a commitment to the values and mission of UC Davis Fire Department; and

2. Demonstrated ability to work in cooperative partnership with departmental staff in the resolution of issues.

Citizen Life-Saving Medal

Awarded to a person outside the UC Davis Fire Department who has been involved in a lifesaving effort at an emergency scene before the arrival of the fire department, or who has provided extraordinary assistance to fire department members in a lifesaving effort.

Citizen Heroism Award

Awarded for a conspicuous act of valor and heroism by a citizen under hazardous conditions in which the person is placed in a life-threatening position to save the life of another.

Heart Safe Campus Department/Unit/College Award

This is an award for

Bleed Safe Campus Department/Unit/College Award

This is for Bleed Safe folks