The Awards
Medal of Valor: The Medal of Valor will be awarded to individuals that voluntarily risk their own life to an extortionary degree in saving or attempting to save the life of another person, or voluntarily sacrificed themselves in a heroic manner for the benefit of others during a fire-rescue event.
Purple Heart Award: The CSFA Purple Heart will be awarded to individuals that suffer severe physical injury that result in hospitalization or death while in the performance of emergency services as a member of the California fire service. This award would be awarded by a CSFA director, deputy director, their designee or a Valor Award Committee Member while the member is recuperating or would be presented posthumously to the members family.
Unit Citation: The Unit Citation/Commendation will be awarded to a team or organized group of two or more individuals that voluntarily assist others in emergent situations. The individuals must have displayed gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions.
Award of Merit: The Award of Merit will be awarded to individuals who assist others in emergency situations with limited risk to themselves.
Certificate of Recognition: The Certificate of Recognition may be issued by any CSFA Board Member to a recipient within that Board member’s area of responsibility.
Letter of Recognition: A Letter of Recognition will be sent over the CSFA President’s signature to recognize individuals that voluntarily assist others in emergency situations with little or no risk to themselves and have not qualified for Medal of Valor, Unit Citation, or Merit Awards