Every day, public safety officers risk their lives to protect America’s citizens and communities. To honor that commitment, Congress passed The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001, which created the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. The medal is awarded annually by the President or Vice President to public safety officers who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life.

A “public safety officer” is a person (living or deceased) who is serving or has served in a public agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter; law enforcement officer, including a corrections, court, or civil defense officer; or emergency services officer, as determined by the U.S. Attorney General.

An act of valor is defined as:

• Above and beyond the call of duty; and
• Exhibiting
  • exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind.
  • unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life

Nominating Someone to Receive the Medal of Valor

To receive the Medal of Valor, public safety officers must be nominated by the chief executive officer of their employing agencies, recommended by the bipartisan Medal of Valor Review Board, and cited by the Attorney General. PLEASE NOTE: The background of Medal of Valor nominees may be reviewed as part of the selection process.

The Attorney General designated OJP's Assistant Attorney General to serve as the Federal point of contact for the Medal of Valor initiative. OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) assists in overseeing the Medal of Valor Initiative.

Nominations must be submitted through the online Medal of Valor Nomination System.

The 2018-2019 Medal Of Valor nomination period is now open. Apply now.

Rochester’s fire chief says, after the first night under the department's new dynamic staffing model, there were no lapses in firefighters' response times. Under the model, a fire company closes for a shift, leaving other companies to respond to calls. The policy is meant to curb overtime costs. Monday night, Engine No.
- PUB DATE: 7/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WHAM-TV ABC 13 Rochester

The Cedar Falls firefighters' union is taking their battle against the city to court. The latest in an on-going controversy over the public safety officers program, that trains police to be firefighters, is the promotion of nine of those dual-trained members to high-ranking positions in the fire department.
- PUB DATE: 7/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KGAN-TV CBS 2 Cedar Rapids

Fourth of July weekend is one of the most dangerous times of the year in the United States. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Fourth of July is one of the deadliest days in the year for motorists, and more fires are reported on Independence Day than any other day in the year, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
- PUB DATE: 7/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: A Secure Life

When firefighters sign up for the job, they’re aware of the dangers of flames, heat and smoke from burning buildings. But they often don’t know about the slower, lingering dangers that can hurt them even when they’re working in the firehouse. Firefighters are 14 percent more likely to die from cancer than the average American, according to a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study.
- PUB DATE: 7/3/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: North Carolina Health News