These policies shall apply to DMFD Honor Guard and all members

 

Policy:

After learning og the death of any person covered in this policy, a representative of the DMFD shall either contact the deceased person's family, extend the Departments sympathy and explain what services we have availableor contact the funeral home.

Upon notification from the Chief or designee, the DMFD Honor Guard shall attend and provide services requested (if possible) at the following funerals and wakes.

 

NOTE: Active and retired members can qualify for full "Line of Duty Death" Honors (if the death was caused by and event or exposure contracted while on duty).

 

Services Available:

A.  Death of an Active DMFD Member (Line of Duty Death):

1. Honor Guard present at Funeral and/or Wake.  (Silent Guard, etc.)
2. Use of DMFD apparatus as a Hearse (Firefighters only), as an escort, or standby  at the cemetary.
3. Pallbearers. (Can be Honor Guard members, remainingof the deceased Firefighters station assignment, or close personal friends on the DMFD.)
4. All Flags at DMFD stations will be flown at half-mast from the day of the death until noon the day after the funeral. (Mayoral approval required)
5. Flag presentation to survivor.  (Veterans recieve a flag free.)
6. Last call reading, Fire Poem, Bell Ceremony (Firefighters only)

B.  Active DMFD Member (Off-Duty Death)

1. Honor Guard present at Funeral and/or Wake.  (Silent Guard, etc.)
2. Use of DMFD apparatus as an escort or standby at the cemetary.
3. Pallbearers. (Can be Honor Guard members, remainingof the deceased Firefighters station assignment, or close personal friends on the DMFD.)
4. Flag presentation to survivor.  (Veterans recieve a flag free.)
5. Last call reading, Fire Poem, Bell Ceremony (Firefighters only)

C.  Death of a retired DMFD member:

1. Honor Guard present at Funeral and/or Wake.  (Silent Guard, etc.)
2. Use of DMFD apparatus as an escort or standby at the cemetary.
3. Pallbearers.
4. Flag presentation to survivor. 

D. Death of a DMFD Members immediate family member (spouse, children-as per contract)

1. Honor Guard present at Funeral

E.  Death of a Firefighter in Surrounding Communities:

1. Honor Guard at Funeral
2. Use of DMFD apparatus to standby or escort.
3. Pallbearers
4. Flag Presentation

F.  Death of a Des Moines Police Officer or Peace Officer in a Surrounding Community:

1. Honor Guard at Funeral
2. Use of DMFD apparatus to standby or escort.

G.  Death of a member of the Chain of Command for the DMFD (Mayor, City Council Members):

1. Honor Guard at Funeral
2. Use of DMFD apparatus to standby or escort.

 

H.  Any situation that arises not covered by this document shall be decided on by the Chief, Chiefs designee and/or the Honor Guard command staff.