History

The Red Cross Sanitätskolonne Long Service Medal was established by the Hesse State Red Cross Association in 1900 and was conferred upon the voluntary members of the Red Cross Emergency Medical Service Column (Sanitätskolonne) who rendered 25 years of faithful service.

During times of war, the Sanitätskolonne worked in hospitals, ambulances, and supported medical companies on the frontline. In times of peace, they worked closely with state and municipal emergency medical services and were used for disaster relief.

By 1900, Germany had around 900 Sanitätskolonnen, with over 14,000 volunteers.