Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “firefighter”
Every year as September 11 approaches, military installations and civilian public-safety agencies begin planning Patriot Day and 9/11 remembrance ceremonies. Firefighters understandably want the fire axe represented. It is immediately recognizable, historically meaningful, and visually communicates the fire service in a way few other objects can.
The term “Joint Civic/Armed Forces Color Guard” sounds official. It sounds inclusive, cooperative, and appropriate for a major public event.
It is none of those things.
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 …
DrillMaster gives an example of the national standard for the ceremonial fire axe manual of arms.
DrillMaster shares his view of keeping the professionalism in an honor guard unit
DrillMaster explains how to create a pallbearer deck to ensure safety of the pallbearers as they step up to place the casket on or retrieve it from the hose bed of an apparatus.
A first responder funeral is not the time to invent policy. When a law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMS provider, dispatcher, or agency chief dies, the department is already under emotional, operational, and public pressure.
The definitive briefing for funeral directors and honor guard members. Download the handout by clicking here.
I constantly receive questions on here my website and on my social media accounts. I also belong to a couple of Facebook first responder groups where drill and ceremonies and honor guard questions are posted from time-to-time. For some questions, I just read the responses and learn; for others, I am able to share my knowledge. This one was a …
I thought the name, DrillMaster iAxe or iAx, (like the DrillMaster iDrill Rifle, because you, “I” make it) might just look weird, so I went with the longer name. Still, it works. The ceremonial fire axe is the usual weapon of choice for firefighter colors teams. However, firefighters are paramilitary and some teams do use the traditional rifle. Other units …