To the Nation’s Fire Service: 

Nominations for the nation’s highest fire service award, the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor award are now being accepted. The Medal of Valor is awarded by the President of the United States to fire and law enforcement personnel who have exhibited extraordinary valor, above and beyond the call of duty.

Over the years the fire service has had some wonderful representatives of courage in the heat of battle and I urge you and your department to nominate firefighter(s) that have displayed extraordinary amount of courage in the line of duty. We have also had years where the fire service was not well represented in nominations, so again, if you have an incident that you feel is worthy, please go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/medalofvalor and make your nomination.

The event must have occurred between June 1, 2007 and May 31, 2008. Nominations will close on July 31, 2008. Knowing the fire service, I am sure that there are untold stories where our people on the front lines have exhibited courageous behavior in preserving life and property.

Steve Westermann, IAFC President, 07-08

Nomination Letter to the IAFC from the Department of Justice