In March of 1998, the Springfield Firefighters Local 37 authorized 9 of their members to form the Local 37 Honor Guard. 16 months later the Local 37 honor Guard members, after establishing a uniform for Honor Guard members and practicing marching maneuvers and movements, marched in their first parade. Since then the Local 37 Honor Guard has provided color guard details for several events, such as: The Illinois Governor's Prayer Breakfast, The City of Springfield Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, and The City of Springfield Inauguration. Members of the Local 37 Honor Guard have also taken part in services at the Illinois Fallen Firefighters Memorial and Medal of Honor services in Springfield, the IAFF Fallen Fighters Memorial in Colorado Springs, CO, and at the Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, MA.
Along with providing color guards, Local 37 Honor Guard's primary mission is to provide honorable services for fallen present and past members of Local 37 in accordance to family request within three levels:
Retired Member - Provide Single guard casket watch at wake. Provide grave sides services according to Fire Service Traditions.
LODD - Provide double guard casket watch at wake. Assist with organizing mass Department walk through at wake. Assist with lining up Department and mass Honor Guard personnel at funeral services. Act as pall bearers( or assist pall bearers if the family request), to place casket onto black draped apparatus for processional, and to remove casket from draped apparatus at the cemetery. Provide graveside services according to Fire Service Traditions.
The Local 37 Honor Guard is now compromised of 18 members, 7 of which are also members of the Associated Firefighters of Illinois Honor Guard.