Physical Description

A rectangular cut-out clasp in silver with a gilded Saxon coat of arms on a round shield, topped by a crown, and surrounded by the inscription ‘VIGILANDO ASCENDIMUS’ (‘through vigilance we ascend’). To the left and right are gilt firefighter tools. The reverse features a horizontal pinback. On a ribbon bar, on a black ribbon with an inner yellow and an outer green border on each side.

History

The Fire Service Decoration was instituted by Grand Duke Carl Alexander of Saxony on November 22, 1890. It was awarded to firefighters who served well for a long time or to those who acted with exceptional merit during a fire.
The award did not have to be returned upon the recipient’s death.