Class A

Men/Women:
Long sleeved white shirt with piping and breast pockets

• Reverse US Flag on the Right Shoulder
• Halifax EMS patch on the Left Shoulder

Black EMS or Black BDU trousers
Black belt (leather or fabric acceptable)
Black soft shoes or black boots
Black sneakers, black work shoes – good condition
black military style boots
Black socks

Men: Black clip-on tie
Women: Black cross tie

Optional: metal name tag with first and last names spelled out black on gold
Optional Cover: Fireman Belltop in Black
Rank Insignia:
Chief – US Navy Commander
Ass’t Chief – US Navy Lt Commander
Captain – US Navy Lt
Lieutenant – US Navy LTJG
Color Sergeant – Gold, 3 Chevrons
As of December 2010, no blazer or formal pants for the Class A Uniform have been discussed.
As of December 2010, Sentry Uniform in Chicopee MA has our uniform requirements, several patches and stand by to assist us with our needs.

Class B / Garrison Uniform

Pullover: Green workshirt with the following:

• Certification patch on left shoulder
• Reverse US Flag on right shoulder
• Halifax EMS patch or embroidered patch on left breast (2.5" tall)
• Name in gold, san serif font on right breast
• The collar and elbows may be in demin (stock item with Game brand)

Shirt: green or white short sleeve polo shirt

• Halifax EMS logo embroidered on the left breast
• No name or certification on the shirt

Pants: There are several options for pants. These options include:

• Black or blue EMS pants
• Black BDU pants
• Khaki pants
• Clean dark jeans

Shoes: No open toe, clean. Either white sneakers, black sneakers, black boots or similar items.

Class C - Utility Uniform

Shirt: Options include:

• Squad t-shirt
• Polo Shirt (as described above)

Pants: As appropriate for setting.

Shoes: As appropriate for setting, no open toes (if possible)

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Consideration for Awards

1. Any member or civilian to be put before the Awards Coordinator for selection will be considered only after a witness to the event has completed and submitted to the board a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation shall contain a complete description of the incident, the date, time and place of the incident. A list of witnesses and parties involved. A description of the member or civilians actions for which the recommendation letter is being submitted.

2. In a case in which no member witnesses may be found, or have come forward, proof beyond a reasonable doubt must be apparent in order for the officers to consider a recommendation letter. In such a case, said form must be completed and submitted by a regular member of the department.

3. It is the duty of every member of the department to report any act of valor and heroism performed by any other member.

4. A member of the Department cannot submit themselves for selection for any award, but can request a line officer submit a letter of recommendation for the following awards: EMS Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Awards Appeal Procedure

1. A member cannot appeal a disapproved recommendation letter, if that member is the subject of that form.

2. A member can re-submit a disapproved recommendation letter, if that member accumulates (5) regular member signatures, one of which must be from a company line officer. The officers will then reconvene, and reinvestigate he recommendation letter in question.

Sample Letter of Recommendation

[[collapsible show="+ Show Sample Letter" hide="- Hide Sample Letter"]]

Section 1

Medal of Honor

Criteria: To receive the Medal of Honor, the EMS provider must be a member of the service who, in the performance of duty while on a call, under extreme hazardous conditions, in which the member is confronted with imminent personal risk, and has full knowledge of that risk, performs an act of conspicuous heroism which furthers the highest traditions of the emergency medical service. (Blackinton RC-1 - solid red bar)

Medal of Valor

Criteria: To receive the Medal of Valor, the EMS provider must be a member of the Halifax EMS who, in the performance of duty while on a call, under hazardous conditions, in which the member is confronted with imminent personal risk, but had no prior knowledge of that risk, performs an act of conspicuous heroism which furthers the highest traditions of the emergency medical service. (Blackinton RC-42 red/white/red bar with V-device for second/more instances)

Lifesaving Medal

Criteria: To receive the Lifesaving Medal, the EMS provider must be a member of Halifax EMS who actions prevented the immediate loss of a life. These actions must be in keeping with training and scope of practice. The actions must lead directly to the saving of a life, whereby the absence of the actions would have resulted in death within hours. (Blackinton RC-32: light blue/white/red/white/light blue bar, with stars for second/more instances)

Section 2 Operations

Distinguished Service Medal

Criteria: To receive the Distinguished Service Medal, the EMS provider must be a member of Halifax EMS who performs a highly unusual act of distinction under adverse conditions in the performance of duty. (Blackinton RC-26: blue/white/blue)

Meritorious Service Medal

Criteria: To receive the Meritorious Service Medal, the EMS provider must be a member of the department who performs a notable act of distinction in the performance of duty. (Blackinton RC-33 white background with 4 narrow blue vertical strips)

Purple Heart

Criteria: The Purple Heart is awarded to a member of the department for a wound received in the line of duty while observing all reasonable safety procedures, that required transportation to a medical facility and subsequent treatment for severe puncture wounds, lacerations, fractures, concussions, burns or other substantial injury. (Blackinton RC-5, purple bar)

Section 3: Administrative

Founding Member

Criteria to receive the Founding Member Ribbon, the Halifax EMS member must have been present at the founding meeting on 20March 2008. Status as founding member is not contingent upon contiguous service since the founding date. Activity during those early months formed the service and shall always be recognized as an achievement and accomplishment. The Founding Members are entitled to wear a gold star device on the Inaugural Member Ribbon. (Blackinton RC12 green/yellow)

Inaugural Member Ribbon

Criteria to receive the Inaugural Member Ribbon, the Halifax EMS member must have been active during the inaugural year (2008). Status as founding member is not contingent upon contiguous service since 2008. Activity during those early months formed the service and shall always be recognized as an achievement and accomplishment. (Blackinton RC12 green/yellow)

Distinguished Administration Medal

Criteria To receive the Distinguished Administration Medal, the EMS provider must be a member of Halifax EMS who performs an act of administrative distinction such as significant grant awards, or other related acts. (Blackinton RC-23 green/white/green)

Administration Commendation Ribbon

Criteria: The Administration Commendation Medal is awarded to a member of the department who has contributed considerable time to an effort that increases the
operational efficiency of the department, maintain a grant-ready stance with respect to local, regional and national reporting requirements. (Blackinton RC-34 green field with 3 narrow white vertical strips)

EMS provider Longevity Service Ribbon

Criteria: The EMS provider Longevity Service Ribbon is awarded to any regular member of the department starting at 10 years of service. Stars will be added for each five year segment, large star for each +10 years. (Blackinton RC40 yellow background with four green vertical strips).

Section 3 Community Service

Distinguished Community Service Ribbon

Criteria: A member of Halifax EMS who has made an outstanding commitment and achievement in fostering community education, community health, public information and/or agency public relations. (Blackinton RC-15 narrow vertical bands of red/green/white/yellow/dark blue)

Section 4 Educational Achievement

Educational Commendation Ribbon

Criteria: The educational commendation ribbon may be awarded to a member of Halifax EMS who has met either of the two following criteria: 1) A member who has completed an effort with academic been recognized by an educational institution for meritorious effort or; 2) For personal achievement an academic setting for education in health care. (Blackinton RC-18 black/white bar)

Instructor Ribbon

Criteria: The Instructor Ribbon is awarded to any member who becomes a certified instructor for medical discipline. (Blackinton RC-13 green bar)

EMT-I/C shall be identified by an “IC” Silver Device.

Medical Provider Ribbon

Criteria: The Medical provider ribbon is awarded to any member who becomes a certified medical provider during the prior year. Levels of certification are designated by devices worn on the ribbon:
M – Medical First Reponder
B – EMT-Basic
I – EMT-Intermediate
P – EMT-Paramedic

(Blackinton RC-22 yellow bar)

Section 4: Civilian

Civilian Awards
Civilian Lifesaving, Bravery, and Community Service awards will be presented as a
plague. The presentation and the handling of invitations to the ceremony will be at the
discretion of the Chief.

(Top Left to Bottom Right)

• Medal of Honor
• Founding Member/Inaugural Member Ribbon
• Medal of Valor
• Distinguished Service Medal
• Lifesaving Medal
• Distinguished Administration Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Purple Heart
• Administration Commendation Ribbon
• EMS provider Longevity Service Ribbon
• Instructor Ribbon
• Medical Provider Ribbon