The Ceremonial Application of Firefighter Equipment

Some fire color guards will march different tools for the guards which does not necessarily provide clear communication with the audience. This image at the top of the Baltimore County Fire Department color guard do provide good communication. However, the possible issue is the tool, it’s a type of pike pole with a very unique head. A modified Boston Rake or Lockwood Hook? I’m not sure of the name.

Consider Communication

When selecting your equipment, consider how communication is affected. The look of the team is important in this respect and so is audience perception.

The fire axe is immediately recognizable and that’s what I suggest for all fire color guards unless they choose the rifle (teams in the northeast are more apt to arm their guards with rifles by tradition). Notice also, in the photos above and at left that the axes are being held at Right Shoulder with the axe head over the shoulder, opposite of what I am showing directly above. I steered away from having the axe head at my head. It didn’t feel comfortable to me for safety’s sake and controlling the axe from the heel of the handle didn’t work as well as I wanted.

Any type of pike pole is not necessarily the easiest to recognize by the public. Below is the short version of the ceremonial pike pole (about 3′). There is also a longer version (about 5′) and a flagstaff version that is even longer (about 8′, see the photo of the fire color guard above). Originally, the pike pole was a weapon used to unhorse a rider. Now, it is used to pull up flooring or pull down a ceiling.

A pike pole, either the short or long ceremonial version, looks like a stunted flagstaff. In terms of communication with the public in general, it doesn’t define itself at first glance.

I suggest not mixing tools. Having one guard with the pike pole and the other with a fire axe can be confusing, especially to anyone who is familiar with the military color guard. In the military, we don’t even mix rifle type.

Mixed equipment can look strange. I know that you are reading this and may be thinking? “So what if it looks strange?” I’m trying to emphasize a clear message to your audience, wherever they may be. Leaving your audience with questions isn’t as good as leaving them with a basic understanding of what they just witnessed. It depends on your audience, however.

The Halligan

This is heavy! The Halligan tool is a crowbar, wedge, spike, hook, and probably a few uses that are discovered in the heat of the moment, pun intended. What it is not is a tool that makes the crossover for ceremonial use.

The photo of me at the right was never intended to be published, it was to see how the tool and I looked as I figured out a bit of a manual of arms for it. Even though I did figure out Order, Port, Present, and Right Shoulder (Left Shoulder was extremely awkward), it wasn’t to create and disseminate the manual. A team I trained uses the Halligan in one of their internal ceremonies and wanted me to design the movement and positions for the tool.

Constant Port, Mirror Port, Unarmed Guards, or…

Below are two examples of what I call Constant Port. Constant Port means the guards remain at the Port position even if the color bearers are at Order or Right Shoulder (Carry). The only movement the guards perform is to go to Present. The team at the top chose to use the mirrored version while the team at the bottom chose the matching version.

Constant Port creates an easily recognizable view (I recommend splitting the axe into thirds with the hands, see my photo above). However, maintaining this position for an extended period can be quite stressful on the arms, especially if the guards are holding real axes.

Unarmed Guards. Nothing says the guards must carry a weapon or tool. EMS units use unarmed guards frequently.

No guards. A lack of (trained) personnel can be an issue for some departments. Having just color bearers or even just one national color bearer is fine.

Uniformity of Technique and Style

Present the best, clear image that you possibly can, it is your responsibility to do so. Whatever you choose, make sure you hold the equipment is the same manner, wear your uniform in the same manner, and don’t carry the national colors below any other colors.

Never hold the silk of the flag when at the position of Right Shoulder (Carry). When the flagstaff is in the harness socket, it is to fly freely. The flag flying freely is a symbol of the freedom we enjoy each day. Every decision you make communicates a certain thought and you must be aware of that.

Internal vs. External Ceremonies

Know your territory. Most tools are best used for firefighter-specific (internal) ceremonies where everyone in attendance understands the meaning for the ceremony (station dedication, memorial, funeral, etc.). If members of the public are there, they are possibly small enough in numbers so that you can answer their questions. Going out into the public, in my view, requires thought as to how to the team wants to present itself, represent the station, and represent the fire service, in general.