Fort Worth Fire Department Funeral Protocol PDF

Here is the converted text from the images into a structured markdown format: # STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE **TITLE:** ADMINISTRATION, FORT WORTH FIRE DEPARTMENT FUNERAL PROTOCOL **NUMBER:** S 1109 R3 **EFFECTIVE:** OCTOBER 1, 2019 **REPLACES:** S 1109 R2 (06.07.2004) **ACCOUNTABILITY:** ADMINIST...

Here is the converted text from the images into a structured markdown format: # STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE **TITLE:** ADMINISTRATION, FORT WORTH FIRE DEPARTMENT FUNERAL PROTOCOL **NUMBER:** S 1109 R3 **EFFECTIVE:** OCTOBER 1, 2019 **REPLACES:** S 1109 R2 (06.07.2004) **ACCOUNTABILITY:** ADMINISTRATION **REVIEW CYCLE:** ANNUAL **Purpose:** To establish procedures and outline responsibilities for memorial/funeral arrangements for a Line of Duty Death (LODD), active (non-LODD) or retired Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) personnel. **General Information:** I. The death of a FWFD member requires a prompt and coordinated effort between the FWFD and the family of the deceased member. This effort should focus on the needs of the deceased member's family. II. There are four levels of service and honors according to the decedent's status. As such, retired firefighter and non-LODD memorial/funeral procedures will differ from LODD protocols. * **A.** Level One Service: Bestowed for the-LODD of any active, uniformed member of the FWFD. * **B.** Level Two Service: Bestowed for a non- LODD of an active, uniformed member of FWFD. * **C.** Level Three Service: Bestowed for a retired firefighter of the FWFD whose death is not attributed to an LODD or incident. * **D.** Level Four Service: Bestowed for a member's spouse, dependent children, or a non-uniformed employee of the FWFD. **Instructions/Procedures:** I. In the event of a death, critical injury or illness, notification should include the Fire Chief. Chaplain, PIO, Honor Guard Commander, Shift Commander, L440 President, and the Duty Chief. These members shall be notified within 60 minutes of death. If any of those listed are unavailable, they may appoint a designee to attend on their behalf. * **A.** The PIO should work to have initial department emails and press releases ready for distribution, pending family notification and approval, within three hours of notification. * **B.** A Family Liaison Officer shall be established as early as possible to coordinate with the family, the chaplain and department. II. In the event of an LODD the Fire Chief may authorize: * **A.** A Liaison Officer to accompany the Chaplain and assist with meeting immediate family needs. * **B.** An initial planning meeting should take place within 12 hours of death notification. The members in the meeting should include the Family Liaison Officer, the Chaplain, the PIO, the Honor Guard Commander, the Assistant Chief of Operations, and the Local 440 President. * **C.** The Fire Alarm Office (FAO) to announce the death, including follow-up announcements regarding arrangements with the family's approval. * **D.** The assignment of a staff car and driver to the deceased member's immediate family. * **E.** A Planning Committee to assist in the memorial/funeral. * **F.** A request to the Texas Governor's office requesting U.S. flags in the city of Fort Worth be lowered to half-staff until sunset the day after the interment. III. The FWFD Chaplain or Liaison Officer shall: * **A.** Coordinate with the family to help ensure immediate needs are met. * **B.** Obtain the following information and disseminate as appropriate: 1. Name, address, and phone number of the funeral home 2. Church/location of service. 3. Clergy/service information. 4. Location of the cemetery. 5. Route to the cemetery. 6. If apparatus is requested to transport the casket. * **C.** Notify the Honor Guard Commander. IV. The FWFD Honor Guard Commander shall: * **A.** Maintain a constant FWFD presence with the deceased from time of death to interment (with family approval). * **B.** Select, organize, and supervise details regarding Honor Guard participation. * **C.** Designate and direct an Officer in Charge (OIC). V. The OIC shall: * A. Select and direct the Honor Guard detail. * B. Coordinate with the funeral director a schedule a watch in accordance with family wishes. * C. Assign a funeral home detail to stand a watch during viewing hours. VI. The Planning Committee Members shall: * A. Be assigned specific functions/duties: 1. Operations: The Operations Officer shall oversee activities associated with the memorial/funeral. 2. Liaison: The Liaison Officer and/or Chaplain shall provide continuous coordination with and assistance to the deceased member's family. 3. Logistics: The Logistics Officer shall coordinate with master scheduler for availability of apparatus and personnel to ensure that fire apparatus, vehicles, equipment, and facilities are secured and ready. 4. Public Information: The PIO (with the family's approval) shall communicate with the media, FWFD personnel, and other agencies regarding memorial/funeral arrangements, employee information/background, etc. * a. All press releases and information should come from the same Public Information Officer in cooperation with the Operations and Logistics officer. * b. The PIO shall ensure arrangements have been made with appropriate police department(s) for escort service, parking and traffic control, street closures, etc. 5. Finance: The Finance Officer shall secure funds for anticipated appropriate expenses. 6. Planning: The Planning Officer shall coordinate with staff positions, establish planning meetings and will oversee the individual functions to include Viewing, Memorial Cemetery and Reception. 7. Viewing: The Viewing Officer shall plan and execute all functions related to the viewing and visitation in accordance with family wishes and protocol. 8. Memorial: The Memorial Officer shall coordinate with the Family Liaison, the Chaplain and Honor Guard Commander to plan and execute the memorial service. 9. Cemetery: The Cemetery Officer shall plan and execute all functions for the interment at the cemetery. They may have to coordinate with PD in regards to traffic and procession. 10. Reception: The Reception Officer will coordinate with the Family Liaison Officer. * B. Update the Fire Chief as requested. VII. Funeral/Memorial procedures: * A. In-service fire companies may position themselves along the funeral Procession route to give a final salute, if within their first alarm territory. * B. When FWFD apparatus from the firefighter's station are used in the funeral procession, it shall be according to the following parameters: 1. Use of Specialty units shall be approved by the Fire Chief. 2. A limit of Tarrant and surrounding counties is set as the apparatus travel limit. The surrounding counties include Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Johnson, Parker, and Wise. The Fire Chief must approve any variation to this limit. * C. Funeral Home or Church Ceremony: 1. The OIC will coordinate pre-ceremony activities and seating arrangements with the funeral home director or minister. 2. The FWFD Chaplain will participate in the service according to the family's wishes. 3. FWFD personnel shall assemble in Class A uniforms and participate as directed by the OIC. * D. Graveside/Cemetery Service: 1. FWFD personnel shall assemble and participate as directed by the OIC. 2. The FWFD Chaplain will participate in the service according to the family's wishes. VIII. Non-LODD and Retiree Procedures: * A. Arrangements requiring alternate memorial/funeral protocols and shall be approved by the Fire Chief. * B. Depending on the family's wishes and available resources, the FWFD may provide an Honor Guard for funerals. * C. The FWFD Chaplain or Family Liaison Officer will be the primary liaison between the family and the FWFD. * D. Fire apparatus shall only be used to transport a casket for LODD funerals. IX. Other Considerations: * A. In-service fire companies may position themselves along the funeral procession route to give a final salute, if within their first alarm territory. * B. When FWFD apparatus from the firefighter's station are used in the funeral procession, it shall be according to the following parameters: 1. Use of Specialty units shall be approved by the Fire Chief. 2. A limit of Tarrant and surrounding counties is set as the apparatus travel limit. The surrounding counties include Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Johnson, Parker, and Wise. The Fire Chief must approve any variation to this limit.