RFD Honor Guard
The Rochester Fire Department (RFD) Honor Guard was established in 2001 by Captain Eric Kerska, with the primary mission of honoring our fallen. This is accomplished by providing an honor guard at the funerals of not only current members but also retirees.
The RFD Honor Guard is comprised of active and retired Rochester firefighters and RFD Chaplains. In addition to funerals, the honor guard participates in local and regional ceremonies and events. Every effort is made to accommodate community requests.
Firefighters Who Died Serving the Rochester Community
- Captain Peter S. Mackey | July 23, 1942
- Firefighter Stanley J. O'Brien | December 24, 1953
- Motor Operator Ambrose J. Riley | December 24, 1953
- Motor Operator Otis D. Ondler | January 23, 1976
Final Tribute
It is customary in the fire service to sound a sequence of five bells, repeated four times, for each firefighter who dies in the line of duty, also known as the "four-fives". Traditionally, this cadence of twenty rings was sounded across the firehouses of the affected department. Although firehouse bells have become rare, the “four-fives” sounded on a ceremonial bell continues to be used as the final tribute to our fallen.
Contact
For more information about the Rochester Fire Department Honor Guard, please contact Captain Bryce Pronk or Assistant Chief Caleb Feine.