Personnel recognition programs are an important part of maintaining high morale and investing in the human capital of any organization. This applied research project investigated the problem within the Salem Fire-EMS Department (SFD) of not having a personnel recognition program in place, creating inconsistencies in when and how achievements are recognized. The purpose of this research was to identify current personnel recognition standards in public and private organizations and best practices of personnel recognition in emergency services. Descriptive research methods were used to answer the following research questions: 1. What emergency services or private sector standards currently exist to help guide organizations with personnel recognition programs? 2. What steps can Salem Fire-EMS Department take to introduce and utilize a personnel recognition program to motivate and empower personnel? 3. What criteria can Salem Fire-EMS Department utilize to measure personnel achievement that yields recognition? 4. What impact would a personnel recognition program have on the Salem Fire-EMS Department? The procedures used in this research utilized a two pronged approach. A survey questionnaire issued to an association consisting of 48 members, mainly including emergency service chiefs and officers, was used as the first instrument. The second instrument utilized in this research was a group-administered survey issued to 56 full-time personnel to gain perspective of current and potential conditions as it relates to a personnel recognition program. The results varied in nature. Many of the responses were consistent with the literature review, but there were some outlier results. Many replies from the second survey instrument showed more willingness to participate in a personnel recognition program than originally expected. The recommendations that yielded from this research included forming a work group within the SFD to establish, implement, and evaluate an on-going personnel recognition program that keeps budgetary constraints in mind