Honor Guard

Section 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this policy is to establish minimum requirements to become a member of the Honor Guard and set forth the operational guidelines and requirements for all current members of the Honor Guard.

PROCEDURE:

The Honor Guard is recognized as a fire department organization for the purpose of representing the City of Maitland Fire Rescue Department to show respect, gratitude, pride and integrity as a public service to the community. The Honor Guard shall always portray high standards of professionalism in appearance and attitude.

Structure:

• The Honor Guard unit will normally be composed of a minimum of 6 members; five members and a commander. Although the unit is lead by the commander, the Fire Chief has ultimate control. All requests for the Honor Guard must be approved by the Fire Chief. At no time shall any member of the department volunteer the Honor Guard without the Fire Chief’s approval.

Applicant Criteria and Considerations:

• Must be a certified member with no less than 2 years with MFRD.
• Possess a high level of integrity and job proficiency
• Be available on short notice to perform in honor guard activities
• Be willing to volunteer time for training, competitions, funerals, ceremonies, parades and any other official services requested.
• Have no disciplinary action within the past 12 months.
• Must submit a letter of intent for selection to the Honor Guard to the Honor Guard Commander which will then be forwarded to the Fire Chief for selection.
• Undergo a basic assessment of proficiency in Honor Guard related functions.
• Participation as an Honor Guard team member is totally voluntary and as such there is no management expectation that a Department member be involved as a team member.

Guard Functions:

• Present flags at Department and/or City events or local agency events such as; award ceremonies, funeral processions, parades, and other special events as requested.

Uniform:

• The Honor Guard uniform shall be purchased by the Fire Department. All members are to wear:
  1. White dress shirt with tie (navy) and adornments: badge, badge band (if needed), collar pins, name tag, shoulder cord (red), Fire Department patch
  2. Dress Honor Guard Jacket
  3. Black belt
  4. Dress pants
  5. Socks - black
  6. Dress Shoes - black
  7. Dress hat with badge
  8. White gloves
  9. White t-shirt
• It will be the member’s responsibility to ensure the uniform is in good repair and condition for service. The department will provide cleaning after each event. Uniform shall be cleaned and pressed after each function.
• All members must maintain a neat and clean physical appearance and decorum which promotes confidence and projects a professional public image.

Training:

• The Honor Guard Members shall meet for the purpose of training for an on-going basis. The Honor Guard Commander shall determine which member shall be in charge of training dates and ensure adequate training is accomplished.
• Members are expected to attend 80% of quarterly trainings unless otherwise approved by the Commander. Failure to train to the minimum level subjects the individual to possible team member termination.

Attendance:

• All members must be active participants in the Honor Guard performances/ functions that are scheduled or unscheduled.
• If the member does not meet the established minimum participation standards, the Commander will discuss the individual’s participation with the member. Minimum participation has been set at two (2) events per calendar year. The Honor Guard Commander will meet with the Fire Chief when minimums are not met to discuss the member’s continued participation on the team.

Compensation:

• Team applicants must be informed prior to membership that as a totally voluntary service, compensation of any kind for participation in training, ceremonies or other events cannot be anticipated or expected.