Over time the department has formed its own committees to elevate services and address challenges. The Honor Guard, much like the military’s ceremonial guard, is a group of members committed to performing ceremonial duties in honor of those that have served the community. Honor Guard holds significance as symbols of respect, tradition, and sacrifice. They preserve centuries-old customs commemorating the fallen and dignifying important events with pride, unity, and solemnity through precise presentation of our country’s colors. The Honor Guard presents all throughout the country.

Many years ago, long before the advent of radios or pagers, fire alarms and daily announcements were dispatched from central headquarters to outlying firehouse by a system of bell commands and telegraph. Each different type of alarm or announcement would have its own number and series of bell strikes. When a firefighter died in the line of duty or when some important official or personage died, headquarters would transmit five bell strikes, repeated in four series, with a slight pause between each series, followed by the announcement. This was done as long ago as 1886 in the New York City Fire Department to inform the rank and file of the death of Abraham Lincoln. The Ralston Volunteer Fire Department Honor Guard is a cadre of individuals with extraordinary distinction and tenure who provide a special support during a family’s grief.