Houston Fire Department holds first Honor Guard graduation; announces academy, custom funeral coach and volunteer members

At a ceremony in Houston, the Houston Fire Department on an occasion described by speakers as the department's first-ever Honor Guard graduation recognized eight newly recruited members and announced operational changes and new programs for the unit.

The ceremony, led by Honor Guard Commander Oscar Pedraza, highlighted the unit's growth and role in funerals and public events, announced that the honor guard has been moved under the department's command staff, and said an Honor Guard Academy open to first responders nationwide will begin enrollment in June. Pedraza also presented a customized funeral coach that city and department officials described as the first of its kind in the nation and said plans are underway for a dedicated Honor Guard building.

Oscar Pedraza, Honor Guard commander for the Houston Fire Department, said the honor guard is a volunteer unit and described the personal commitment required: "This is a volunteer unit." He also emphasized the emotional and professional aspects of the work: "You can't teach emotion. You can't teach passion. And you cannot teach the professionalism that comes along with honoring a fallen member." Pedraza provided a brief history of the unit, tracing its origins to a 1985 council action forming AMVET Post 74 and a 1992 name change to the Houston Fire Department Honor Guard.

Councilman Julian Ramirez, representing the city in place of Mayor John Whitmire, praised the graduates and the honor guard's role at funerals and public events. "We serve because we love this city and we love our firefighters," Ramirez said, adding that the mayor asked him to appear on his behalf.

Fire Chief Thomas Munoz, who Pedraza said initiated the graduation and organizational changes, told the graduates and attendees that the honor guard's presence at funerals and family events leaves a lasting impression. "What you do is a lasting impression on that member, on that family," Munoz said, describing the unit's work as providing dignity and tradition for families on difficult days.

Program and operational details provided at the ceremony: - Enrollment for the first Houston Fire Department Honor Guard Academy is open and the class starts in June (year not specified). The academy will be open to first responders across the country. - The department displayed a customized funeral coach described at the ceremony as "the first ever of its kind in the nation" designed to carry a casket; Pedraza said it is not rated for water and is intended specifically for funeral transport. - Pedraza said the honor guard has been reassigned from suppression assignments and attached to the department's command staff to better manage operational needs. - The honor guard is a volunteer unit whose members come from suppression, EMS, OEC and other assignments; volunteers who are not classified HFD members were recently authorized to participate in the unit.

Quantitative and membership details given during the remarks: - Pedraza said the Houston Fire Department has close to nearly 4,000 active members and about 3,700 retirees and that the honor guard "services nearly 8,000 members." He said last year the unit presented honors to 97 families and performed an additional 50 to 60 non-funeral details. - The ceremony welcomed eight new honor guard members, whom Pedraza said will bring the unit to 21 active honor guard members. - Pedraza said recruits are interviewed, must undergo rigorous training and must complete at least 20 hours of on-the-job training before being offered an official spot on the unit.

New members introduced at the ceremony were named and their roles given by Pedraza: Christine Uregas (district chief, 31 years of service); David Howard (captain, Station 90, 29 years); Audra Racinos (firefighter EMT, Station 75, 9 years); Jacob Delagarza (absent; certificate accepted by retired honor guard member Cheryl Landry); Elena Torres (Station 69, 3 years); Sharika Ivory (firefighter EMT, Station 55, 2 years); Rick Montana (West Lake Fire Department volunteer, 29 years of service); and Michael Bodak (Jacinto City Fire Department, 43 years).

The ceremony also included recognition of long-time and behind-the-scenes contributors, including firefighter paramedic Vicki Bewley, representatives from local funeral homes (Tom Larmen and George Bridal of Klein; Jorge Corte and Janae of Forest Park Lawndale), and departmental civilian staff members named by Pedraza.

No formal policy votes or city council actions were recorded at the event. The statements and figures reported here were presented orally at the ceremony by Houston Fire Department leaders and invited city officials.

Looking ahead, the department promoted the Honor Guard Academy enrollment and encouraged attendees to view the customized funeral coach on display outside the venue. New honor guard members gathered for a group photograph after the ceremony.