(1)

In order to recognise and honour long-standing commitment and extraordinary contributions to the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (‘the Union Mechanism’), Decision No 1313/2013/EU provides that the Commission may award medals to the relevant recipients.

(2)

In order to award such Union Mechanism medals (‘UCPM medals’), the Commission should lay down the criteria and procedures for recognising long-standing commitment and extraordinary contributions to the Union Mechanism.

(3)

Given the cross-sectoral approach of the assistance provided through the Union Mechanism, UCPM medals should be awarded to Union and third country citizens, including civil protection personnel, disaster management personnel, military personnel of Member States, or personnel of other relevant authorities or bodies for contributions rendered to the Union Mechanism. The UCPM medals can be awarded to natural persons or modules, including intervention teams, technical assistance and support teams (‘TAST’), and other response capacities registered in the Common Emergency Communication and Information System (‘CECIS’).

(4)

In order to cover the activities of the entire disaster management cycle, the material scope of recognising and honouring longstanding commitment and extraordinary contributions to the Union Mechanism should encompass prevention, preparedness and response actions.

(5)

In accordance with Article 20a(3) of Decision No 1313/2013/EU, the Commission should award two types of UCPM medals: a medal for long-standing commitment and a medal for extraordinary contribution. It is therefore necessary to define eligibility criteria for the award of each type of medal.

(6)

As UCPM medals were introduced in the Union Mechanism with Decision (EU) 2019/420 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), the period to be taken into consideration for determining the eligibility of potential recipients of UCPM medals should be set taking into account the date of adoption thereof, which is 21 March 2019.

(7)

The Commission and Member States should be entitled to nominate potential recipients. In order to evaluate potential recipients, any such nominations should be assessed by an Award Board, which should consist of the Commission’s representatives. The Award Board should convene to make recommendations to the Commission to decide on the UCPM medals.

(8)

In order to pay homage to the recipients in an appropriate manner, UCPM medals should be awarded at a formal ceremony, such as the European Civil Protection Forum or other formal ceremonies on an ad-hoc basis.

(9)

In order to ensure inclusion and promote equality, gender balance and geographical distribution should be taken into account when deciding to award UCPM medals.

(10)

In order to ensure transparency, the Commission should maintain a register of awarded UCPM medals.

(11)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Civil Protection Committee referred to in Article 33(1) of Decision No 1313/2013/EU,

(1)

‘person of good character’ means a person who is clear of any previous criminal convictions;

(2)

‘outstanding bravery’ means exceptional courage or courageous endurance above expectations while that is shown in action;

(3)

‘extraordinary meritorious achievement’ means very high level of accomplishment, which is beyond what is ordinary or usual.

(a)

they have been deployed on at least three occasions in response operations under the Union Mechanism;

(b)

they have shown long-standing professional commitment to prevention or preparedness actions under the Union Mechanism. The periods of time dedicated by the eligible recipients concerned to such actions shall be taken as an acknowledgment of their commitment.

(a)

they have demonstrated an act of outstanding bravery, an extraordinary meritorious achievement or an activity beyond what might reasonably be expected during a response operation under the Union Mechanism;

(b)

they have contributed an extraordinary meritorious achievement to the development of the Union Mechanism at large.