The Government of Euskadi has opened the process for awarding medals and plaques of merit in emergency response and civil protection. According to an order published in the Boletín Oficial del País Vasco the nomination period opens on 21 October 2026 and closes on 20 November 2026. The body responsible is the Dirección de Atención de Emergencias y Meteorología.
Nominations may be submitted by public authorities, institutions, professional or volunteer associations, and companies whose work is part of the Sistema Vasco de Atención de Emergencias y Protección Civil . Submissions can be made through the Basque Government’s electronic administration platform, at citizens’ advice offices Zuzenean or by other legally prescribed means. Submissions must include details of the nominating body, the nominated person or organisation, the award sought, and a reasoned account of the relevant actions or services. Supporting evidence may also be included.
The awards recognise exceptional individual acts, such as saving lives and undertaking dangerous operations, as well as long-standing service in the field of emergency prevention and response. The legal basis is Decreto 253/2017 of 21 November 2017, which sets out the types and categories of awards and the procedure. The awards are due to be presented in February 2027, close to the date of the Día Europeo del 112.
The Government says the awards are intended to highlight courage, solidarity and dedication that contribute to public safety in the Basque Country . The open nomination process is intended to reflect the broad range of organisations involved in emergency response and civil protection—from municipal services and voluntary aid organisations to infrastructure operators providing critical services for public protection.
There is currently no information on possible priorities for this year’s awards, the number of awards or named candidates. These will be decided after the deadline and review of the submitted dossiers. The key considerations are the documented services and their significance for public safety and protection.
By opening the nomination period, the Government of Euskadi is continuing its practice of giving public recognition to outstanding work in emergency response and civil protection. The clear deadline of 20 November 2026 gives interested organisations the opportunity to prepare and submit justified nominations with complete documentation.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).