Rescue Medal (Baden-Württemberg)

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The rescue medal of the state of Baden-Württemberg

The rescue medal of the state of Baden-Württemberg was re-established on March 11, 1953, one day after its official announcement, by a foundation resolution by the Maier cabinet under the then Prime Minister Reinhold Maier , after until May 8, 1945, only the rescue medal ( 1933) was awarded. Since then, it has been state recognition for rescue operations in the state of Baden-Württemberg.

First notice

The first, still very tentative decision on the reintroduction of a rescue medal for the state of Baden-Württemberg on March 10, 1953 essentially only regulated that the medal itself, as well as a certificate of honor and a public commendation for saving human life, could be awarded. Thus, as in almost all other federal states, a three-tier system for rescue acts was created, which includes the following "levels":

  • the rescue medal (on the ribbon),
  • the certificate of honor as well
  • public commendation / recognition.

In addition to the three government awards mentioned, a cash reward can be granted for all three variants.

Second notice

The second announcement for rescuing people from mortal danger is dated March 17, 1970 and, unlike its predecessor, is very detailed with regard to the award procedure.

Award principles

  • 1. Rescue medal: The rescue medal can be awarded to all people who have rescued people from mortal danger under particularly difficult circumstances that endanger their own lives . The rescue medal can only be awarded once to one and the same person. If the rescuer has lost his life in the exercise of the rescue act, he can be awarded the rescue medal posthumously.
  • 2. Certificate of honor: The certificate of honor, on the other hand, is issued if the rescuer only found himself in considerable personal danger during the underlying rescue act . The factual requirements of the characteristics particularly difficult do not have to be fulfilled here.

Both honors, the rescue medal or the certificate of honor, presuppose that the rescuer carried out the rescue act essentially (i.e. largely) independently and that he is otherwise worthy of the award.

3. Public commendation: Public commendation or public recognition is given in cases when the rescuer did not or could not fulfill the requirements for the award of the rescue medal or the certificate of honor. This also applies to the case that the rescuer acted under particularly difficult conditions during the rescue act, but without being in immediate danger to his own life or the rescue act itself was unsuccessful.

In addition to the three honors mentioned, an honorary gift (amount of money) can also be granted. Young rescuers who have not yet reached the age of 18 will receive a gift in kind in addition to the honor. Compensation for substantial property damage sustained as a result of the rescue act can also be granted. The Prime Minister decides on all named honors at the suggestion of the Ministry of the Interior.

Shape, texture and way of wearing the rescue medal

The silver- made rescue medal shows the embossed coat of arms of Baden-Württemberg in the middle on its front. There are two oak leaves underneath. The inscription: BADEN / WÜRTTEMBERG is embossed above the state coat of arms . The reverse shows a closed wreath of oak leaves and the central 4-line inscription: FOR / RETTUNG / AUS / GEFAHR . The rescue medal is worn on an orange-colored ribbon with a narrow white stripe running through it on the left side of the chest. It is based on its original pattern, the Prussian Rescue Medal from 1833 .

Award exclusions / exceptions

The rescue or commemorative medal is not awarded to persons who have been entrusted with protecting the lives of others for official or professional reasons and who only performed their official or professional duties during the rescue act. However, this principle can be deviated from if the rescuer has significantly exceeded the obligation to fulfill his duties during the rescue act . An honor is not considered if the rescuer appears unworthy of the award because of a crime or misdemeanor. Incidentally, a rescue act outside the state of Baden-Württemberg can only be honored if the rescuer has not received an honor from the other concerned (federal state). (Prohibition of double awards)

Award process

Application and investigation

For each individual rescue act for which an award is considered, the mayor's office in the state of Baden-Württemberg determines ex officio in whose municipality the rescue act took place. She clarifies the matter in consultation with the mayor's office of the rescuer's main residence and then reports the result of the investigation to the Interior Ministry. An application must be made for this. If the rescue act was not carried out in Baden-Württemberg, the mayor's office will determine and report to the municipality in which the rescued person has their main residence. Furthermore, no ex officio investigations need to be initiated if the rescue act was more than two years ago.

Content of the application

The result of the investigation is to be recorded in a written report by the mayor's office. This must contain the following information:

  • First and last name, date and place of birth, address and occupation of the lifesaver
  • First and last name, date and place of birth, address of the rescued person
  • Exact description of the rescue act, stating why there was a danger to life during the rescue and which difficult circumstances existed (e.g. darkness, cold, lack of knowledge of the location, age, physical condition and state of health of the people involved)
  • Any records of police, public prosecutor's office or other interrogations (such as the fire brigade) must be enclosed with the report if these have been requested by the interior ministry in the course of the investigation
  • possible damage estimates for a possible compensation that the rescuer suffered while performing the rescue act
  • Information as to whether the rescuer is already in possession of an award for saving life or whether such an award can be expected from other bodies
  • Circumstances relevant to the assessment of the Savior's personality
  • Recommendation on the type of honor

Delivery

The rescue medal and the certificate of public recognition are given to the rescuer by the mayor or lord mayor of the main place of residence, whereby the State Ministry of the Interior can make a different regulation in individual cases. The document is signed by the Prime Minister. The honor will then be publicly announced with the consent of the honored person in the state gazette and in the main residence of the rescuer.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Announcement of the State Ministry on the award of awards for the rescue of people from mortal danger of March 10, 1953
  2. ↑ Guideline of the Ministry of the Interior on the state honoring of life savers of December 22, 1998, points 2.1.1 and 2.1.2
  3. ↑ Guideline of the Ministry of the Interior on the state honoring of life savers of December 22, 1998, point 2.1.3
  4. ↑ Announcement by the Ministry of the Interior on the award of awards for the rescue of people from mortal danger in the new version of March 17, 1970, point A, paragraph 2
  5. ↑ Guideline of the Ministry of the Interior on the state honoring of life savers of December 22, 1998, point 2.2
  6. ↑ Announcement of the Ministry of the Interior about the award of awards for the rescue of people from mortal danger in the new version of March 17, 1970 point A, paragraph 5
  7. ↑ Guideline of the Ministry of the Interior on the state honoring of life savers of December 22, 1998, points 2.3 to 2.5
  8. ↑ Guideline of the Ministry of the Interior on the state honoring of life savers of December 22, 1998, point 3.1
  9. ↑ Guideline of the Ministry of the Interior on the state honoring of life savers of December 22, 1998, point 4.1
  10. ↑ Announcement of the Ministry of the Interior about the award of awards for the rescue of people from mortal danger in the new version of March 17, 1970, point A, paragraph 7
  11. ↑ Guideline of the Ministry of the Interior on the state honoring of life savers of December 22, 1998, point 4.3.1