About The Rochester Fire Department Honor Guard

The Rochester Fire Department (RFD) Honor Guard was established in 2001 by Captain Eric Kerska with the primary mission to honor our fallen. This is accomplished by providing an honor guard at the funerals of not only current members, but retirees as well.

The RFD Honor Guard is comprised of active and retired Rochester firefighters, and RFD Chaplains.  Besides funerals, the honor guard participates in local and regional ceremonies and events. Every effort is made to accommodate any request from the community.

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 that 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 effected 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.

Honor Guard Contacts

For more information about the Rochester Fire Department Honor Guard, please contact:

Captain Bryce Pronk  or Assistant Chief Caleb Feine