History

The Decoration for Merit in Fire Protection was established by the Ministry of the Interior in 1984. It was awarded to professional and volunteer firefighters in recognition of dedicated service and to Polish citizens in recognition of life-saving rescues. It was discontinued following the collapse of the communist regime in 1989, but a similar decoration was established by the Republic of Poland in 1997.

The I Class Medal features an obverse inscription that translates to "For Merit in Fire Protection," and a reverse inscription that translates to "In Service of the People's Country." The initials on the reverse stand for "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa" (Polish People's Republic).

See also the Medal for Merit in Fire Protection (POL607) in the Medals & Decorations of the Third Polish Republic (1989-).