Members of Berlin's volunteer fire brigades, recognised private aid organisations and the Berlin branches of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief can be honoured for meritorious voluntary work from the age of 16 in the areas of fire brigades, rescue services and civil defence and disaster control. The "Fire Service and Civil Protection Decoration of Honour" was established in 1978 and is awarded in six levels. The decorations are awarded by the responsible senator. Honours at level 2 and above are presented in public. The awards of the special level decorations are published in the Official Gazette for Berlin.