The Fraternal Order

The Fraternal Order

And

Funeral Rites

Of

The Fallen Firefighter

Shannon D. Warenski

MOR100

12-01-00

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“Firefighters are a very special breed because they represent a group of people who are different from all other professions and working class people. They represent a close-knit assembly of men and women who may die in the line of duty more often, proportionately, than those in any other occupation. They are individuals who understand the dangers surrounding them, yet they respond to each new alarm with newfound enthusiasm for the action ahead. These men and women like what they do, and they are pleased that they have been given the opportunity and the calling to help others in a way that is at once meaningful and exciting. Like other Americans, they care about their homes, their families, their churches, and organizations, yet they are the ones who answer the alarms at three in the morning not knowing what awaits them. They are trained to meet any emergency and perhaps to give a fast wink at death and a pat in the back of danger” (Smith, 1988, p. xii).

It takes a dedicated, committed, and courageous individual to enter the blind, boiling darkness of a building on fire, to crawl through poisonous smoke, to confront the threat of dangerous flames that are in the wake of destroying its very surroundings, to rescue the fortunate and claim those who have fallen victim to its rage. It is the hope of these dedicated men and women that they do not ever have to retrieve one of their own from this engulfing prison of fear. But it is understood that time is of the essence, and if they are to lay down their lives while performing their duties, there could be no higher honor bestowed upon them than giving their lives that others might live.

“If there’s a life involved, firefighters will give all they have, and if the life is one of their own, they’ll give even more” (Burks, 1982, p. 84).

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It is through these feelings of fear for one’s own mortality and respect for one who has laid down his life in the cause of saving another that tribute is given and honor bestowed upon the men and women that serve us.

Upon the conformation of the death of a firefighter, the Division Chief is responsible for contacting the family of the deceased to obtain an expression of their desires which shall be of paramount concern and shall be accorded with full respect. The Division Chief then inquires of a Funeral Director, Minister, or Priest to obtain further information in the preparation for the organization of fire department rites. Upon his completion of gathering this information, the Division Chief reports to the Battalion Chief who in turn makes arrangements for the necessary equipment and manpower to be on stand-by the day of the funeral. The Battalion Chief is also responsible for assigning members of the station or district in which the firefighter served to stand as the honor guard duty at the casket throughout the funeral services. It should be mentioned that this format is used and established in most inner cities, since in the more rural areas the department is strictly volunteer and governed by a Department Chief or Town Fire Marshal, but the ceremony still is performed in the same manner.

As the preparation for the funeral services begin, the fire station personnel will immediately begin preparations to honor their fallen comrade. Some will be more emotionally involved than others, and most often it will be those who are the closest to the firefighter who will remove his personal belongings from his locker. These items usually include his hat, coat, and boots, which will be cleaned and set aside to be used at a later time in the funeral ceremony.

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The emotions of fellow firefighters are extremely solemn and quiet while they are around the firehouse; this is a reflection, to some degree, of the reverence to their colleague who no longer laughs with his fellow comrades and shares in their conversations. Instead, he will be a topic of their conversations as they unite to express their grief. In some instances, this period of mourning may last as long as a month or perhaps longer.

On the evening of the visitation, an Honor Guard that has been appointed by the Battalion Chief is assigned to stand at either end of the casket. The Honor Guard usually consists of two, four, or six firefighters in full dress uniform with white gloves, cap, and badges draped in black to symbolize their mourning of the fallen firefighter. A relief crew or crews shall be prepared and assembled to relieve the Honor Guard every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the visitation. Upon the designated relief time, the approaching crew under the direction of the Battalion Chief files into place directly behind the present Honor Guard. As they assemble along each side of the casket, they continue up behind the present Honor Guard, coming to a halt, marching in place and saluting while the first Honor Guard retires, then turning into position. During the process The Battalion Chief gives the Commands:

A)“Detail, Halt!”

B)“Detail, Center Face!”

C)“First Rank!” (the Honor Guard in place) “Attention!”

D)“First Rank, Left By Right, Face!”

E)“First Rank, Forward March!”

1)At this time the relief guard marches to the rear of assemblage.

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F)“Detail, Step, March!”

1)Detail steps into position.

G)“Parade Rest!”

H)Relief procedures are repeated until the ceremony or visitation is concluded.

I)“Relief Diagram” (Hickey, 1983, p. 5).

One the day of the funeral service, the fire truck is brought to the meetinghouse where the service will be held. It will be draped with black banners that will cover the beacons and run across the top of the cab flowing down both sides of the truck. The deceased firefighter’s polished hat, coat, and boots are now placed on the end step of the fire truck as to indicate his last call to duty; also there may be a black wreath placed on the front of the fire truck if local customs dictate.

As the funeral coach and family cars approach the meetinghouse, the firefighters should already have arrived and will be aligned along each side of the pathway leading to the entrance of the meetinghouse. They should be arrayed in full dress with cap, white gloves, and badges draped in black, similar to the Honor Guards for the visitation; it appears as if they stand like sentinels guarding against harm for the one who has fallen.

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The flag draped casket is then removed from the funeral coach and carried by six fire fighters following a bagpiper to the entrance of the meetinghouse. This procession passes between the firefighters who have assembled themselves outside the meetinghouse and are standing at attention. As the pallbearers proceed, a bell on the fire truck will toll every five seconds until the casket has reached the meetinghouse entrance. Upon completion of the service, the casket is removed from the meetinghouse in the same manner as it was taken to the service with attendant firefighters assembled at attention following a bagpiper. The bell of the fire truck is once again tolls every five seconds as the casket is removed from the meetinghouse and carried to the funeral coach. The order as to where the firefighters are to stand as the casket is being carried into and out of the meetinghouse is illustrated in the following diagram: (Hickey, 1983, p. 2).

Casket Detail

Pallbearers

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This format is also followed as the casket is removed from the meetinghouse and carried to the funeral coach in preparation for the journey to the cemetery.

At the conclusion of the funeral service, the assemblage of firefighters are to report to the same position they were in when the casket was taken into the meetinghouse. The Battalion Chief will call the assemblage to order as the casket is removed, and again the fire bell tolls every five seconds until the casket is placed either on the fire truck or in the funeral coach. The decision of placing the casket on the fire truck or in the funeral coach is given to the family. The later seems to be the more common request.

In preparation for leaving the church, the cortège should be positioned with the fire truck being the lead vehicle followed by the funeral coach, and directly behind the funeral coach are the family cars. (Diagram indicates formal order of cortège):

While traveling to the cemetery, should the cortège pass by any fire station, it is suggested that the firefighters be standing in front of the fire station as the cortège passes, saluting the fallen firefighter and the family. The salute is held until the cortège has passed and then released slowly to signify the last farewell to a comrade.

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Upon arrival at the cemetery, all firefighters should be lined along either side of the pathway leading to the gravesite. The siren on the fire truck is sounded to call all who are at the graveside to attention and prepare the firefighters for the farewell march.

The flag draped casket is then removed from the funeral coach or the fire truck and carried to the gravesite in what is called the “Farewell” or slow march. The salute will be warranted, and the casket will be removed from the funeral coach and carried to the gravesite. Upon passing by those standing at attention, the farewell salute is given; this is done by a strong crisp salute and then withdrawing the hand slowly until the arm has resumed to the person’s side; the head is bowed momentarily. This salute is done to show honor and dignity to the firefighter and is usually very emotional for the firefighters in the assembly.

After the casket has been placed on the grave, full military honors are then given. “TAPS” is then played while the flag is being folded. The flag is then presented to the firefighter’s spouse by the Battalion Chief along with the spouse’s badge and cap. Upon completion of the services, all firefighters are dismissed to return to duty.

“If Prometheus was worthy of the wrath of Heaven for kindling the first fire upon earth, how ought all the gods to honor the men who make it their profession to put it out?” (Smith, 1978, p. 146)

Special thanks is given to Battalion Chief Bill Koenig of the Salt Lake City Fire Department for his knowledge and willingness to be interviewed for the purpose of this

paper. Chief Koenig was able to give a very in-depth description of the funeral detail which is to be administered following the death of a firefighter. “People don’t understand firefighters. They don’t understand because we do very special, esoteric

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things, and we do them in a special way. Firefighting becomes a subculture, and we firefighters tend to hang around with one another; the darkness is hard to explain to an outsider.” (Smith, 1988, p. 300)

Dedication among firefighters tends to be a powerful characteristic and is the key to the honor and commitment they give to their fraternal form of success. Of those I had the opportunity to interview, there was hesitation to express feelings and even give information concerning the death and burial rites of those who have preceded them. I felt as if the topic of death may have brought about a reality to them that each firefighter must face every day of his life as a new beginning, “for fear is only seen in the eyes of those who don’t understand” (Smith, 1988, p. 47).

Reference List

Smith, D. (1988). Firefighters-Their Lives In Their Own Words. (1st ed.). New York, NY: Doubleday Publishing Company.

Burks, J. (1982). Working Fire-The San Francisco Fire Department. Mill Valley, CA: Square Inc.

Hickey, J., Battalion Chief. (1983). San Francisco Fire Department Funeral Detail and Ceremonies. San Francisco, CA: University of California Press.

Smith, D. (1978). Dennis Smith’s History of Firefighting In America. New York, NY: The Dial Press.

Koenig, B.; Battalion Chief Lieutenant-Salt Lake City Fire Department, St. Francis Hook and Ladder Society. Personal interview. 5 Oct. 2000.

Imagine Films Entertainment. (Brian Grazer). (1991). Backdraft [Sound film]