Award Nominations

NOMINATION & APPROVAL PROCESS

The Call To Honor Awards & Recognition Program is designed to ensure that EMS and public safety professionals receive recognition in a manner that is fair, objective, and reflective of the highest standards of valor, service, and excellence. To maintain integrity and consistency, the nomination and approval process follows a structured framework similar to military award review procedures, ensuring that each nomination is thoroughly vetted and appropriately awarded.

STEP 1: NOMINATION

Any individual or organization may submit a nomination for an award. Nominations can be made by:

EMS personnel and fire departments.
Law enforcement or public safety agencies.
Supervisors, medical directors, or agency leadership.
Community members with direct knowledge of the incident or actions.

Nomination Period:

Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
To be considered for the annual awards ceremony held each may, nominations must be submitted by March 31 of the banquet year (awards cycle April 1 through March 31).
- For example, nomination received between April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026 will be considered for the Spring Awards Banquet in May of 2026.
Nominations submitted after the annual cutoff will be reviewed during the next award cycle. Certain recognition categories may still be issued outside the annual ceremony when warranted.

Submission Requirements:

A complete nomination must include:

Nominee’s full name, agency, and role at the time of the incident.
The award being recommended.
A detailed account of the actions, achievements, or contributions supporting the nomination.
Supporting documentation when available (e.g., redacted patient care reports, incident summaries, witness statements, or media coverage).
Contact information of the nominator for follow-up.

All nominations must be submitted electronically using the Online Recommendation for Award Form (MCA form 701) at the bottom of this page.

STEP 2: INITIAL REVIEW & VALIDATION

Upon submission, nominations undergo an initial administrative review by the Call to Honor Awards Committee or designated staff to ensure the submission is complete, appropriate for review, and aligned with the intended award category.

This screening is not a full clinical or operational investigation. Rather, it is intended to confirm that sufficient information has been provided to allow fair and informed committee consideration.

The initial review may include:

Confirmation that required nomination fields are complete
Review for internal consistency and clarity of the submission
Verification of basic participant and agency information
Assessment of whether the nomination reasonably aligns with the selected award category
Requests for clarification or additional documentation from the nominator, if needed

The extent of this review may vary depending on the award type, the information provided, and the availability of supporting documentation.

STEP 3: COMMITTEE REVIEW & VOTING

Validated nominations are reviewed by the full body of the Call to Honor Awards Committee, composed of medical directors, EMS leadership, and senior public safety officials.

The committee will:

Review each nomination against established award criteria.
Evaluate the nature of the actions, clinical judgment, leadership, and context of the incident.
Ensure the proposed award level is appropriate and consistent with precedent.
Vote to approve, adjust, defer, or deny the nomination.

Award Adjustments & Downgrades:

If the committee determines that a nominee’s actions meet award criteria but do not rise to the level of the submitted award, the committee may recommend a different or lower-level recognition.

This safeguard:

Preserves the integrity of higher distinction awards.
Ensures fairness and consistency across all recipients.

When an adjustment or downgrade occurs, nominators will be notified and may submit additional supporting information for reconsideration if desired (see Appeals Process below).

Certain awards that are issued infrequently (e.g., Medal of Valor or Distinguished EMS Cross) may undergo additional layers of review due to their exceptional nature.

STEP 4: FINAL APPROVAL & AWARD ISSUANCE

Once committee review is complete, all approved awards receive final authorization from the Medical Director.

At this stage:

Formal award citations are drafted.
Recipients are notified of their selection.
Presentation logistics are coordinated.

Some awards may be issued throughout the year when immediate recognition is appropriate. Others are held for formal presentation at the annual ceremony.

STEP 5: PRESENTATION & PUBLIC RECOGNITION

Awards may be presented at:

The annual awards ceremony
Departmental or agency meetings
Community or county events
Special circumstances warranting timely recognition

Depending on the award level, recipients may also receive certificates, medals, challenge coins, media acknowledgment, or press releases.

APPEALS PROCESS

If a nomination is denied or downgraded, the nominator may request reconsideration by:

Submitting additional supporting documentation prior to the annual deadline, or
Reapplying during a future award cycle

Awards are not guaranteed to be issued each year. If no nomination meets the established criteria for a specific recognition, the committee may elect not to confer that award to preserve its distinction.

RECOMENDATION FOR AWARD