BACKGROUND: On December 22ND 1936 the Minister of the Interior, Wilhelm Frick instituted the Fire Brigade Decoration in two classes for award to professional and volunteer fire fighters and administrators. The first class decoration was awarded for exceptional service or outstanding conduct in fire fighting and the second class decoration was awarded for twenty-five years service. Recommendations for bestowal of the Fire Brigade Decoration came from the office of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chef der Deutschen Polizei im Reichsministerium des Innern, (Chief of the German Police in the National Ministry of the Interior), which include all fire fighting services. Also Of Note: On January 30TH 1938 the original pin back first class Fire Brigade Decoration was abolished and replaced with a second pattern in the same form of the second class decoration but with a gilt finish.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck alloy, second class decoration with a silver wash and black, white and red enamel work. The decoration is in the form of a Greek style cross with a central, separate circular medallion and an additional circular ring running between the arms of the cross. The cross arms have a white enamel base with a fine silver washed outer border stripe and red enameled "flames" to each. The central medallion also has a white enamel base with a black canted enamel swastika and a fine black enamel outer border stripe. All the enamel work is intact with minor surface scratching. The silver washed circular ring running between the crosses arms has embossed Latin script, "Für Verdienste im Feuerlöschwesen", (For Merit in the Fire Brigade Organization). The silver wash to the outer border edge of the arms and the circular ring shows light to moderate age tarnish. The top arm of the cross has the ribbon suspension loop and ribbon ring both intact. Complete with original ribbon. Scarce.