Honour medal for firefighters

The Honour medal for firefighters (French: "Médaille d'honneur des Sapeurs Pompiers") is a state decoration of France bestowed by the Ministry of the Interior to members of the French Fire Service.

Although possessing a two-century-old firefighting tradition, the French government proved slow in recognizing the service and courage of the men and women who face risk on a daily basis to save lives and property. Not until 1875 was a service certificate established and bestowed for thirty years of service. This was the only means of recognizing the devotion to duty of Parisian and rural firemen until the establishment of the Honour medal for firefighters by a law of 16 February 1900. Another twenty two years would elapse until a decree of 14 March 1922 added a rosette to the ribbon of the medal to denote an act of bravery. A later law of 12 December 1934 added silver-gilt and gold grades to the medal for long service. A silver-gilt grade of the medal for exceptional service only came to be in 1962.

The decree of 4 March 1981 saw a new design and ribbon for the Honour medal for firefighters awarded for exceptional service.