Kansas City Honor Guard Clinic

07/20/2026

The Kansas Clinic continues to grow! Spots are running out quick, so make sure to register before it is too late!

We would like to thank everyone who has signed up so far. Your investment in Honor Guard and your commitment to honoring those we serve is greatly appreciated.

This last week, Instructor Tom visited several sites around Pittsburg to show you where the clinic takes place and what all we do. Make sure to keep an eye out for those videos!

We look forward to training along all of you in October! Reminder that registration closes September 15. Register now so you don't miss out!

07/06/2026

It has been a while since we have done a staff spotlight, and today we would like to remedy that with a spotlight on Instructor Ritchie. Ritchie is one of our Kansas Instructors (who will be teaching at our Kansas Clinic in October *hint, hint*).

Ritchie has spent 24 years in service to the Topeka Fire Department, 20 years in the Honor Guard with 13 years as an instructor for HGCS, 7 years as a Sector Commander for the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial, and 4 years as a Deputy Commander with the Kansas Funeral Assistance Team.

He has led his life in dedication to others; he has mentored and taught Honor Guard members not just from Kansas, but from all over the U.S. and Canada. He has organized and led numerous retirement walkouts and ceremonies, and we at the HGCS had the pleasure of being there for his own walkout and retirement celebration this last week.

He is an incredibly humble man, with the biggest heart, and full of so much wisdom, compassion, and many humorous anecdotes.

Ritchie is not only a friend to us here at HGCS, but he is family; and last week, he welcomed us into his world, shared with us his own family and home, and reiterated to everyone why what we do is so important.

So happy retirement to Ritchie, and if you haven't signed up for the Kansas Clinic, make sure to do so before it is too late! You don't want to miss out on learning from one of the best.

03/04/2026

With special thanks to Commander Jonathan L Abbott (Lee's Summit Fire Department), a StackTeam App group has been created to help connect Honor Guards in Missouri.

The Kansas Firefighters Funeral Team has been using this app for some time now and has experienced an increase in communication and participation. Important information such as upcoming events, funeral/visitation details, and documents can be distributed statewide to Honor Guard members with ease.

Please consider joining the Missouri Honor Guard group on the StackTeam App.

06/04/2025

Upcoming Honor Guard Clinic being hosted by the Southeast Kansas Firefighters Honor Guard and Pittsburg, KS Fire Department.

Brent Jones with the Milwaukee Honor Guard Clinic & Schools will be returning to the Midwest in October for a 2 day clinic (October 17th & 18th). Please see flyer for registration information. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

08/01/2024

Who is planning to attend the 2024 IAFF Memorial Service in Colorado Springs on September 21st?

We are sending 7 from our local (Central Jack L3133) - 5 Honor Guard members from CJC/SJC and 2 representatives from Fort Osage Fire. This is the first time our Honor Guard has been able to attend. Shout out if you will be there.

07/13/2024

Honoring Liberty FF/PM Steve Sanneman this morning

01/06/2024

If you enjoyed the training and networking provided in Kansas City this past fall, then we encourage you to make a trip to beautiful, balmy Milwaukee, WI this coming April. Whether you decide to attend the 3 day Clinic, the Funeral Ops class, or Unit Commander School - you’re sure to learn a lot and have a great experience at the same time.

Honor, Family, Respect and Compassion are the principles we teach and live by! Are you thinking about becoming a member of your honor guard or are you a current honor guard member that needs hone your skills, then this clinic is for YOU! We welcome, fire, law enforcement and EMS members from all over the United States and Canada. This is a great opportunity if you are new to honor guard or needing additional knowledge of what honor guard is all about!

A fun fact - with all of our instructors combined experience we have: 333 years of Honor Guard Experience and 442 years in Emergency Services.

Come and be a part of a wonderful organization! Classes are filling up! Get registered on our website: HGCSTRAINING.ORG

11/23/2023

The death of KCFD Captain John Parison has just officially been classified as line of duty (presumptive cancer) the visitation and funeral are Friday November 24th, visitation 9 - 11 Ebenezer missionary Baptist church 8640 sni-a-bar rd kcmo, funeral service to follow, burial Park Lawn cemetery 8251 Hillcrest rd.
Any honor, or honor guard personnel that would like to participate please contact Tim Sheil @ [email protected], this be is a holiday weekend with very short notice please do not feel obligated to change holiday plans.