The honorary badge of the fire department was established on June 22, 1936 by Wilhelm Frick as Reich Minister of the Interior for his services in extinguishing fires. Crosses were installed in 2 classes. Until 1938, both crosses were silver-plated and differed in size (1st class 58.5 mm and 49 mm, respectively, and 2nd class 43 mm) and method of wearing. The 1st class cross was worn as a 2nd class plug cross on the ribbon. On January 30, 1938, by decree of Adolf Hitler, the badge of honor was changed. Both classes were now worn on tape and had the same size (43 mm). The 1st class was now gilded, the 2nd class remained silver-plated. 1st class was awarded to members of professional and volunteer fire brigades and others who earned special merits in extinguishing a fire or distinguished themselves by particularly courageous and decisive behavior in the fight against fires. The 2nd class badge of honor was awarded to active members of recognized professional and volunteer fire brigades who completed 25 years of service. 1st class was awarded as a particularly valuable award only to active warriors who, at the risk of their lives, deserved exceptional and repeated participation in extinguishing fires. When fulfilling the requirements for awarding the Lifeguard Medal, it must be awarded as a priority. The author of the project is Herbert Knötel d.j., Berlin. Crosses were made without a manufacturer and rarely with a manufacturer's designation. There was no duty of return. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen before 1945, vol. IV, 2001.
The cross is made of silver-plated non-ferrous metal with straight cross-shaped sleeves. Between the cruciform arms at a distance there is a circulation narrow ring. On the front side of the patch is a round medallion. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a pupate ear with a ribbon ring.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
Photos of www.militaria-berlin.de
Obverse: Imperial firefighter badge of honor 2. Step
Reverse: Reich Fire Badge of Honor 2. Step
Awards of World War II