Push on to honour fire heroes who have served overseas

Since 1997, more than 700 firefighters have travelled to fight blazes in countries such as Indonesia, the United States, Canada and Greece.

But unlike military and police awards which are presented for service as part of the Australia Day award, not such award exists for firefighters, which need to rely on being nominated as part of humanitarian service awards.

Wayne Rigg, a Ballarat-based CFA Operations Officer is leading the push for firefighters to be recognised.

"Since 1997 there has been 17 deployments overseas of our personnel and we're seeking to have those deployments recognised with a formal medal under our honours system," he said.

"Currently the humanitarian overseas service medal is available, but it's actually for humanitarian work and it's aimed at non-government organisations such as Red Cross, OxFam. It has been awarded to emergency personnel for things like Tsunami's and earthquakes, but not for services in fires.

"One of our deployments in 2009 has been awarded, and that was in British Colombia, but what we are saying is if you lump all those into the humanitarian medal, it will dilute what that medal is about."

The push has already won the backing of the federal opposition, with leader Bill Shorten writing to Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week.

"We are likely to see continuing weather events that lead to extreme wildfires, such as those we recently witnessed in California that require international assistance, including from Australia," Mr Shorten wrote.

"Labor would support the establishment of the FEOSM (Fire and Emergency Overseas Service Medal) and I urge you to approve it.

"Such an award would demonstrate our gratitude to fire-fighters who risk their lives overseas and who represent the best of Australian values by helping those in need. I have no doubt such an award would be warmly received within the community."

So far the federal government has not given an indication as to whether it would support the move.

"We've had a mixed response but positive in the main," Mr Rigg said. "Last week, Bill Shorten wrote to the Prime Minister to seek the creation of the medal and we very much welcome that.

"We've also met with the government and their position is that the humanitarian medal should be the medal that recognises our service, we've got a different opinion to that.

"We've also had support from Senator Hinch and others as well as our Federal member for Ballarat Catherine King who has been an enormous help and support in facilitating meetings in Canberra."

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