the is a circular medal made of cupronickel. on the obverse of the medal is the crowned effigy of queen elizabeth ii with an appropriate inscription. the reverse depicts a scene of two firefighters using a hose and the inscription, "for exemplary fire service". the medal has a ring suspension and hangs from a red ribbon 1.25 inches wide, at the edges are two thin yellow stripes. the rank and name of the recipient is impressed on the edge of the medal.