Rescue Medal (Rhineland-Palatinate)
The badge of honor for rescue from danger of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate was donated by state law on March 19, 1951 by then Prime Minister Peter Altmeier and is state recognition for a rescue from danger successfully carried out at the risk of one's own life. The following are awarded for rescue acts:
- the rescue medal on the ribbon or the non-wearable one
- Commemorative medal for rescue from danger
In addition to these two possible types of award, there is also the option of issuing a public commendation. In addition, a cash reward can be granted even if an award is not awarded. It is the same for all types of honor that it can only be given once to one and the same person.
Award requirements
Rescue medal on ribbon
An award can be made to all those who in particularly difficult, associated with mortal danger circumstances successfully rescued people from death or avert the threat of danger to the general public and have it shown a special proof of courage and self-sacrifice. The future bearer must appear worthy of the award.
Commemorative badge
On the other hand, the commemorative badge for rescue from danger is awarded if the rescuer was in less serious mortal danger during the underlying rescue act .
Cash reward
Rescue acts that were not carried out independently or whose accompanying circumstances were less difficult receive a cash reward, which can be given instead of the rescue medal or the commemorative badge. The amount is determined by the President of the Supervision and Services Directorate. The handover is then carried out by the President of the Supervisory and Services Directorate in full and free of charge. The cash reward is always paid regardless of the compensation for any physical or material damage suffered. If the investigation reveals that the rescuer is not willing to accept the rescue or commemorative medal, it must be determined whether the rescuer's economic circumstances justify the monetary reward. If this is the case, a cash reward can take the place of the rescue or commemorative medal.
Public commendation
If the prerequisites for the award of the rescue medal, the commemorative badge and a monetary reward are not met for rescue acts and the behavior of the rescuer requires appreciation, they will be given a public commendation. The public commendation is carried out by the President of the Supervision and Service Directorate. It is also to be announced in the state gazette.
Disclaimer
The award of the rescue medal or the commemorative medal for rescue from danger for persons who are entrusted with the protection of the life of others for official or professional reasons is only permissible if they have significantly exceeded the average level of their duty to perform during the rescue act, whereby expressly Exceptions are permitted.
Award procedure and delivery
With the award of the honorary mark for rescue from danger, the person to be loaned receives a certificate signed by the Prime Minister, and a corresponding certificate when the commemorative badge is awarded. The rescue medal is awarded on behalf of the Prime Minister by the President of the Supervision and Service Directorate, who also arranges for the public announcement in the State Gazette. Both honors become the property of the borrower and remain as a memento for the bereaved after their death.
Proposal procedure
The proposals which should lead to the award of the badge of honor or commemoration are to be processed by the district administrations and the city administrations of the independent cities in whose territory the rescuer has his habitual residence. If the rescuer has his place of residence outside the state area, the responsibility is based on the rescue location (in the Rhineland-Palatinate area).
Reporting and investigation by the authorities
In the event that the rescue act becomes known, the competent authority (district or city administrations of the independent cities) must start their ex officio investigations and find out whether all the requirements for state recognition are met. If necessary, the rescuer and the rescued person as well as other witnesses of the rescue act must be heard in detail. A simple plan is to be made showing the location and course of the rescue act. In the event of a rescue from a water hazard, the depth must also be marked on the plan sketch and an expert opinion from the responsible water protection police authority, which must particularly comment on the level of danger to life of the rescuer, must be obtained. The report must then be prepared, which must always be dealt with individually. The report must contain a clear and exhaustive description and justification of the rescue act. It must also contain:
- a) First and last name of the rescuer
- b) Date and place of birth of the Savior
- c) Marital status of the Savior
- d) The rescuer's place of residence and home
- e) Citizenship of the rescuer and the
- f) Date and place of the rescue act
If necessary, further circumstances should be specified in the report, which should help in assessing the personality of the rescuer. Finally, the report must state whether the rescuer is willing to accept the rescue medal or, in the case of the award of the commemorative medal, actually accept it. The rescuer should therefore be asked this question by way of a hearing. The report and all investigations must then be sent to the Prime Minister via official channels.
Reasons for refusal
State approvals can also be refused in certain cases. The rescue medal or the commemorative medal, the monetary reward and the public commendation are not awarded to persons who:
- a) have been sentenced to imprisonment of at least 1 year for a crime or
- b) as a result of a judge's verdict no longer have the eligibility for election or the ability to hold public office.
Exceptions to this prohibition of lending can also be granted, but these should be recorded in a special assessment procedure as to whether in this individual case the rescue act should be honored by a pardon. Other criminal convictions do not stand in the way of the award. In the event of a possible award, the excerpts from the criminal record should nevertheless be attached to the report.
Retroactive recognition of rescue acts
A rescue medal already awarded between June 22, 1933 and May 8, 1945 can be exchanged for a medal of the new coinage upon request. The application must be submitted to the Prime Minister, who will also certify the exchange.
Appearance and texture of the awards
The round silver-plated rescue medal has a diameter of 33 mm. On its front, it shows in the center the embossed coat of arms of Rhineland-Palatinate and the embossed semicircular inscription RHEINLAND-PFALZ . The reverse of the medal bears the four-line inscription For Rescue from Danger , which is surrounded by an oak wreath . The rescue medal is worn on an orange ribbon 25 mm wide, which is criss-crossed on both sides by a narrow white stripe. It is based on its original pattern, the Prussian Rescue Medal from 1833 .
The commemorative medal not intended to be worn is of the same quality and appearance.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ State Law on State Recognition for Rescue Acts of March 19, 1951, Section 1
- ↑ State Law on State Recognition for Rescue Acts of March 19, 1951, Section 4
- ↑ State Law on State Recognition for Rescue Acts of March 19, 1951, Section 2
- ↑ State Law on State Recognition for Rescue Acts of March 19, 1951, Section 1
- ↑ State Law on State Recognition for Rescue Acts of March 19, 1951, Section 8
- ↑ State ordinance for the implementation of the state law on state recognition of rescue acts of September 20, 1951, § 8
- ↑ State Law on State Recognition for Rescue Acts of March 19, 1951, Section 9
- ↑ State ordinance for the implementation of the state law on state recognition of rescue acts of September 20, 1951, § 9
- ↑ State Law on State Recognition for Rescue Acts of March 19, 1951, Section 5
- ↑ State Law on State Recognition for Rescue Acts of March 19, 1951, Section 6
- ↑ State ordinance for the implementation of the state law on state recognition of rescue acts of September 20, 1951, § 7
- ↑ State Law on State Recognition for Rescue Acts of March 19, 1951, Section 7
- ↑ State ordinance for the implementation of the state law on state recognition of rescue acts of September 20, 1951, § 4
- ↑ State Ordinance for the Implementation of the State Law on State Recognition of Rescue Acts of September 20, 1951, Section 5
- ↑ State ordinance for the implementation of the state law on state recognition of rescue acts of September 20, 1951, § 6
- ↑ State Law on State Recognition for Rescue Acts of March 19, 1951, Section 10
- ↑ State ordinance for the implementation of the State Act on State Recognition of Rescue Acts of September 20, 1951, § 10
- ↑ State ordinance for the implementation of the state law on state recognition of rescue acts of September 20, 1951, § 1 and 2