In 2000 Eric Abney, John Bauer and Tony Lowe joined together in an effort to launch the first St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1 Honor Guard. Within a few months, these members would procure a training manual, equipment and uniforms. From these humble beginnings, the Honor Guard was formed to honor the members of St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1, the Fire Protection District and the public. Very quickly, the Guard achieved their goal of 12 members, 10 from suppression and 2 from Communications.  Today, the Honor Guard is comprised of members from the Fire Suppression, Communications, and Fire Prevention divisions as well as the Volunteers.  All members of the Honor Guard serve on a voluntary basis.

Shortly after its inception, the St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1 Honor Guard was called on to take care of one of their own in response to the untimely death of Firefighter Eric Blakely who was the first active professional firefighter to die while off duty. Firefighter Blakely died in an off-duty accident the day after completing his regular 24 hour shift.  The Honor Guard was tested very early by arranging Firefighter Blakely’s funeral.  Later that same year, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City took place, the Honor Guard stepped up to assist groups from around the city with memorial events.

Since that time, the Honor Guard has performed at numerous funerals and events for St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1 in addition to representing the fire department before other fire departments, police departments, community and government entities. 

On April 8, 2006 the St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1 Honor guard participated in the first state fallen firefighter’s memorial event in which the Louisiana Fallen Firefighters Memorial was dedicated. This event was the first opportunity that honor guards from around that state were brought in to participate on a large scale. It was apparent that the various honor guards utilized different approaches. In an effort to bring all of the state’s honor guards together, the Louisiana State Firefighters Honor Guard Association was developed. The St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1 Honor Guard is a charter member of the Louisiana State Firemen’s Honor Guard Association. Captain Eric Abney of the St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1 Honor Guard is the first Commandant of the Louisiana State Firemen’s Honor Guard Association. The St. Tammany Parish Fire Protection District No.1 Honor Guard participates each year in the annual Louisiana Fallen Firefighters Memorial held at the Louisiana Fire Marshall’s Office every March in addition to annual 911 Memorial Events.

Over the past 8 years, the Honor Guard has witnessed the positive impact that the unit has made on the department. The unit currently has 15 active members.

Fire Department Chaplains

The primary purpose of the fire Department Chaplain and is to give aid, comfort and help to firefighters and their families. Fire Chaplains strive to help ease the suffering of their fellow man by providing comfort, counseling and solace to fire departments, firefighters, communities, victims of the devastating ravages of fire or other crisis happenings in the community. Our Chaplains have chosen to serve the fire service, the acknowledged world’s most dangerous profession, and fire victims, whose suffering is that most beyond description. Chaplains effectively respond to crisis situations armed with little more than training and compassion; yet they make all of the difference. The current St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1 Chaplain is Keith Boyer of the Faith Bible Church on Allen Road in Slidell.

Current members of the St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1 Honor Guard as of June 2008 include the following:

Coordinator:  Chris Kaufmann, Chief of Administration

Eric Abney, Commander LA State Honor Guard Association
John Bauer
Mike Ford
Lester Schellinger
Larry Martin
Peter Rudesill
Mike Thiel
Russell Lindsey
Amanda Hall
Matt Dupre’
Walter Allen
John Wadsworth
Aaron Saenz
Greg Kelly
Dave Jenkins Jr.
Mark Jaubert-Photographer

The St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1 Honor Guard represents the Fire District and all members of the organization. The primary responsibility of the Honor Guard is to honor the members and past members of the fire district by serving in whatever capacity requested by the member or member’s family in preparation for and participation in memorial ceremonies, wakes and funerals.  The Honor Guard also represents the department at the request of the Fire Chief.  The Honor Guard is a charter member of the Louisiana State Honor Guard Association and participates as requested in active or retired public servant’s funerals, memorials, monument dedications and at the request of outside agencies at the Federal, State and Local levels.