As new firefighters join our ranks the spectrum of ways to become further involved can sometimes be overwhelming. Many options are available and new staff are left with questions about where to devote their energies and passion. One such opportunity is steeped in respect and in tradition; it is called the Honour-Guard and Colour Party 

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Although the Honour-Guard is mainly known for its participation in Line of Duty funerals and Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Services, there is also a large variety of other events and ceremonies where their presence is appreciated. Traditions and protocols live on because men and women don uniforms to highlight a significant event in their community. Other events and ceremonies that “Respect the tradition” include; 

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• City parades 

• Retirement parties 

• Firefighter last-day-at-work march-out 

• Weddings 

• Recruit graduations 

• Local sporting events 

• Mayoral inaugurations 

• Award banquets 

• Charity events 

• Fire-station openings 

• Canada Day celebrations 

• Keys to the City Ceremonies 

• Remembrance Day Events 

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Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) has been involved in many different events and is regarded as a reputable service because we protect our Nation’s Capital. In turn, the Honour Guard is often requested to attend activities in Ottawa and elsewhere in the country. We are actively recruiting new members to help our Honour Guard maintain tradition and continue to be visible in our communities.

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What does being of the Colour Guard entail? 

According to Brampton Honour Guard Commander Jordan Paris 

“The type of person who will best represent what the honour-guard division is all about is one who carries himself or herself respectfully and demonstrates an appreciation for appearance, etiquette, values and professionalism. Members of the honour guard should be cognizant of the fact that they represent not only their departments, but also their chiefs, their cities and their country while on duty in their uniforms. 

What are the expectations and commitments related to the OFS Colour Guard? 

Firstly, “The responsibility of an honour guard to its department is to continue to practise and maintain fire-service traditions and to represent the department with honour, integrity, pride and professionalism at all events and opportunities.” (Jordan Paris) 

More specifically, if enlisted for the OFS Honour Guard one should expect to participate in practice sessions and volunteer 3-5 hours of their time 1/month. Be advised, certain months are busier than others - especially when yearly memorials and events are repeated annually.

Please ensure that your schedule allows for some flexibility and can accommodate the additional of another responsibility. 

We hope you’ll consider becoming a part of this unit and help tradition live on. 

Should anyone be interested in speaking to someone about the Honour Guard, please contact Captain John Sobey at John.Sobey@ottawa.ca or jsobey@ottawafirefighters.org. 

Gerry Pingitore 

Fire Chief 

John Sobey 

Honour and Colour Guard 

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BY SUSAN SHERRING, OTTAWA SUN

Simply put, my brother Bill Sherring loved being a firefighter.

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He loved his family and his friends, but there was an overwhelming sense of pride he took in being part of a brotherhood and sisterhood that put their lives on the line serving our community.

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Having passed in 2015, my brother was one of several firefighters honoured at the 15th annual Ottawa Firefighters’ Memorial Service on Friday.

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He would have loved it, every bit of it.

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He always took part in the parade to Ottawa City Hall and the Ottawa Firefighters Memorial, often in the sweltering heat made worse by the heavy ceremonial uniform he so proudly wore.

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His wedding ceremony was actually at the firefighters’ memorial, with his bride, Annie, arriving to the site in an antique fire truck.

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Yes, he lived and breathed with the firefighters’ brotherhood...

The monument, located at Marion Dewar Plaza outside City Hall, commemorates fallen Ottawa firefighters. It’s not only the gathering place for the annual memorial ceremony, held Friday, but also a frequent public draw.

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“Every time I’m there, in all honesty, there are people from all over the world who have dropped by to our memorial,” retired deputy fire chief David A. Smith, head of fundraising for the Ottawa Fire Fighters Community Foundation, told Around Town.

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The foundation successfully raised $1.4 million to create the memorial, unveiled in 2009. This year, organizers were hoping to pull in about $25,000 at the dinner to help with the costs of further enhancing the site and to cover ongoing maintenance.

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Brian Conway, a retired finance manager with the fire department, was back to chair the gala. Also returning were CTV’s Michael O’Byrne as MC and lawyer Lawrence Greenspon as charity auctioneer. Providing the live music were The Divas as well as The Ottawa Fire Services Band...