Fire Department Service Medals 소방공무원기장1
Information on Korea’s National Fire Department (History, Rank Insignia, Uniforms, etc .) in English
The Fire Department Commander’s Medal “소방지휘관장”
The Fire Department Commander’s Medal was established on Feb. 24, 1988 by Presidential Decree #12408. It is awarded to superintendents and above who head Fire Department Agencies. The bronze pendant is 50 mm in diameter and is 7 mm thick at the center of the emblem. The design on the front of the badge consists of a circle of pointed rays that resemble stacked fire hoses. There are four hose nozzles forming a cross that vaguely resembles a Rupert cross. In the center of the cross is a 20 mm circle. Inside the circle, there are three hose nozzles crossed like crossed rifles, portrayed above a Taeguk (Yin and Yang) symbol. There is a small plaque as part of the 38 mm x 10 mm straight bar suspension which has the words 소방지휘관 “Fire Department Commander”.
The reverse of the pendant has the words 대한민국소방기장 “Republic of Korea Fire Fighting Medal” forming an arc across the top. Directly below these letters are the words 지휘관장 “Commander’s Medal”.
The ribbon is 35 mm x 50 mm. The colors are: Orange 6 mm, Blue 6 mm, Orange 11 mm, Blue 6 mm, and Orange 6 mm. In the Presidential Decree authorizing this award, it uses the word 황색, which is generally translated as “Yellow”.
The ribbon bar is 35 mm x 10 mm. The colors and width of the stripes are the same as the medal ribbon. In the center of the ribbon bar is a gold-plated disc 10 mm in diameter. The disc’s design is that of the Taeguk, with the three crossed hose nozzles found at the center of the pendant.
10 Year Service Medal “안전장”
The 안전장 “Safety Medal” was first established on Feb. 24, 1988 by Presidential Decree #12408. It is awarded to firemen with ten years of continuous service. The round bronze pendant is approx.42 mm in diameter x 3.5 mm thick. The design on the front of the badge consists of a 20 mm circle at the top center of the pendant. Inside the circle is a lighted candle. Directly below the circle is a pedestal made of six inverted “L”s representing fire hoses.
The reverse of the pendant has the words 대한민국 소방근속기장 “Republic of Korea Fire Department Service Medal” forming an arc across the top. Directly below, in a straight line, are the words 안전장 “Safety Medal”. Below this is another straight line of text which reads as 10년근속 “Ten Years Service”.
The ribbon is 35 mm x 50 mm. The colors are: Orange 6 mm, Blue 2 mm, Orange 19 mm, Blue 2 mm, and Orange 6 mm. In the Presidential Decree authorizing this award, it uses the word 황색 which is generally translated as “Yellow”.
The ribbon bar is 35 mm x 10 mm. The colors and width of the stripes are the same as the ribbon on the medal. In the center of the ribbon bar is a 10 mm gold-plated disc. The disc’s design is the same as the lighted candle found on the pendant.
20 Year Service Medal
The 봉사장 “Service Medal” was first established on Feb. 24, 1988 by Presidential Decree #12408. It is awarded to firemen with 20 years continuous service. The round bronze pendant is approx. 42 mm x 3.5 mm thick. The design on the front of the badge consists of a 20 mm circle at the top center of the pendant. Inside the 20 mm circle is a Haet’ae sitting on a bed of fire. Directly below the circle is a pedestal made of six inverted “L”s representing fire hoses. Directly under the 20 mm circle is a pedestal made of six inverted “L”s that represents fire hoses.
In Korea, the Haet’ae 해태 is a mythical beast that prevents fire disasters. According to Korean folklore, the Haet’ae’s body is muscular and shaped like a lion and has a horn on its forehead. It has a bell in its neck and the body is covered with sharp scales. There is a pair of Haet’ae sculptures in front of the National Assembly Building, with one being male and the other being female, giving them each a distinctive appearance. The city of Seoul has used Haechi (origin of Haet’ae) as its official symbol since 2009.
The reverse of the pendant has the words 대한민국 소방근속기장 “Republic of Korea Fire Fighting Service Medal” forming an arc across the top. Directly below, in a straight line, are the words 봉사장 “Service Medal”. Below this is another straight line of text which reads 20년근속 “20 Years Service”.
The ribbon is 35 mm x 50 mm. The colors are: Orange 4 mm, Blue 2 mm, Orange 2 mm, Blue 2 mm, Orange 15 mm, Blue 2 mm, Orange 2 mm, Blue 2 mm and Orange 4 mm. In the Presidential Decree authorizing this award, it uses the word 황색 which is generally translated as “Yellow”.
The ribbon bar is 35 mm x 10 mm. The colors and width of the stripes are the same as the ribbon on the medal. In the center of the ribbon bar is a 10 mm gold-plated disc. The disc’s design is the same as the Haet’ae found on the pendant.
30 Year Service Medal
The 소방장 “Firefighters Medal” was first established on Feb. 24, 1988 by Presidential Decree #12408. It is awarded to firemen with 30 years continuous service. The round bronze pendant is approx. 42 mm x 3.5 mm thick. The design on the front of the badge consists of a 20 mm circle at the top center of the pendant. Inside the 20 mm circle is a Flying Dove. Directly below the circle is a pedestal made of six inverted “L”s representing fire hoses.
The reverse of the pendant has the words 대한민국 소방근속기장 “Republic of Korea Fire Fighting Service Medal” forming an arc across the top. Directly below, in a straight line, are the words 소방장 “Firefighter’s Medal”. Below this is another straight line of text which reads 30년근속 “30 Years Service”.
The ribbon is 35 mm x 50 mm. The colors are: Orange 2 mm, Blue 2 mm, Orange 2 mm, Blue 2 mm, Orange 2 mm, Blue 2 mm, Orange 11 mm, Blue 2 mm, Orange 2 mm, Blue 2 mm Orange 2 mm, Blue 2 mm and Orange 2 mm. In the Presidential Decree authorizing this award, it uses the word 황색 which is generally translated as “Yellow”.
The ribbon bar is 35 mm x 10 mm. The colors and width of the stripes are the same as the ribbon on the medal. In the center of the ribbon bar is a 10 mm gold-plated disc. The disc’s design is that of the Flying Dove with a flame in its mouth.
May 2020, Fire Department Service Medals 소방공무원기장
On May 20, 2020, Fire Department Directive 소방청훈령 #156 was issued. This new directive had drawings for a new design of its service medals and included its first authorized Forty Year Service Medal called 헌신장 “Dedication Medal”. It can also be translated as “Commitment Medal” or “Devotion Medal”. At this time, none of these medals have been seen.
Nov. 2020, Fire Department Service Medals 소방공무원기장
On Nov. 2, 2020, Fire Department Directive 소방청훈령 #192 was issued. This new directive was issued less than 6 months after the last directive. Like the previous directive, it has new drawings for the 4 different Long Service Medals. The pendants stayed the same, but the ribbon colors and stripe patterns are entirely different. At this time, none of these medals have been seen.