Zinichev, aged 55, tragically died on 8 September in the city of Norilsk trying to save the life of prominent filmmaker Alexander Melnik.
"Russian President Putin conferred the Hero of Russia title posthumously to Gen. Zinichev for his heroism and courage displayed in the performance of his official duties," the Kremlin said in a statement.
Putin earlier sent a message to Zinichev's family offering his condolences.
Zinichev was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in 1966. In 1987, he became a KGB officer and since 1991 had served in the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), holding different posts and accompanying President Vladimir Putin on his working trips. Zinichev became minister of emergency situations in 2018, after serving as the deputy director of the Russian Security Service.