AFFI Honor Guard Training

AFFI Honor Guard Districts & Training Dates

 

The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Honor Guard is divided into 9 Districts, much the same way that the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois State Association has the Stated divided by Districts.  These Districts are designed by geographical area for several reasons.  To begin, there is the Command Staff of the Honor Guard.  The Command Staff consists of the State Commander, who is similar to the Fire Chief of a Department.  They report directly to the President and Executive Board of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois State Association, as well as commanding the AFFI Honor Guard.  The State Commander is assisted by two Deputy Commanders, one from the upper and one from the lower part of the State.  In the event that there is a Line of Duty Death Activation and the State Commander is not available, one of the two Deputy Commanders will step in depending on which part of the State is in need of assistance.  The Secretary/Parliamentarian is responsible for taking care of meeting minutes during Conventions, as well as during any Commander's meetings.  They also are in charge of maintaining the books for the AFFI Executive Board.  The State Training Director is in charge of the Training Committee, which keeps track of trainings throughout the State.  They also meet regularly with the Training Committee to come up with new ideas for training evolutions. 

The next group of Districts are the 7 Districts that are divided up throughout the State based on geographic location.  Each District is led by a District Commander, who is in charge of that area of the State as well as reporting at the Command Staff meetings & Conventions.  They are assisted by a First Shirt, followed by Drill Captains who lead drills on different shifts during the year. 

District 8 is the Pipes & Drums, which covers the entire State of Illinois.  To be a Member of District 8, you must first spend one year as a District 1-7 Member to learn the Guidelines of the AFFI Honor Guard.  After the first year, you may practice with the 8th District, and become inducted into the 8th District at the next Convention.  The 8th District Pipes & Drums holds at least monthly Drills, which are posted on this page.  Please check this page throughout the year to make sure your drill dates and times have not been changed or cancelled for any reason.

There are multiple trainings set up in each District, which are placed on this page to view.  Any active member can attend ANY Districts training.  For example, if your Department is based in District 5, but you live close to District 4, you can attend their drills.  You need to complete at least 2 trainings from the time Convention is over, until the following Convention to remain an Active AFFI Honor Guard Member.  If you are unable to attend, but wish to remain on the list for the Honor Guard, a $25 fee must be sent to the AFFI Office by the deadline for registration for that year's Convention in lieu of going to the Convention. 

Drill Captains usually set dates for training at Convention, and those dates are passed to the Web Master at that time.  However, some trainings are scheduled throughout the year so again, check back here often.  Also, signing up for the Newsletter will assist in being notified of any major drill announcements or activations.  If there is a LODD in your District, it is important that you are at that LODD if the Honor Guard is Activated by the AFFI President and family requested.  Please check this web site's home page if you have heard of an IL Union LODD for further updates, service announcements, and information. 

District Commanders, First Shirts, or Drill Captains, please notify the Web Master for any updates or changes to your drill schedules.

 

 

Deputy Commander Joe Baumgartner, State Commander Jeffrey H. Bruno
 & Deputy Commander Jeremy DeJournett

State Commander: Jeffrey H. Bruno 
Kankakee Local #653

Deputy Commander: Joe Baumgartner
Bolingbrook Local #3005

Deputy Commander: Jeremy DeJournett
 Belleville Local #53

AFFI Honor Guard Secretary/Parliamentarian: Tom Willis
Lombard Local #3009

State Training Commander: Jeff Babcock
Chicago Ridge Local #3098
(E-Mail Jeff Babcock with questions or training information,
copies of  training manuals, etc. by clicking here: )

 

 

 

1st District Commander: David Zahn:
Belleville Local #53

First Shirt: Rodney Hall
Edwardsville Local #1700

Drill Captain: Jordan Araiza
Belleville Local #53

Drill Captain: Matt Wiwczaroski
Granite City Local #253

Drill Captain: Steve Perry
Alton Local #1255

Drill Captain: Bobby Williams
Metropolis Local #3367
 

Training Sessions For 1st District: (NOTE: Shift Colors are based on a 4 shift schedule)

• Saturday, February 18, 2012 Black Shift 10:30- Belleville, Engine House #1, 315 Carlyle Ave.  Trainings for the year will be set at this drill.

• Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Black Shift 11:00- 3212 College Ave., Alton

• Thursday, April 26, 2012 Gold Shift 11:00- Casino Queen, East St. Louis

• Saturday, May 26, 2012 Black Shift 11:00- 211 North 10th, Murphysboro

• Wednesday, June 20, 2012 Red Shift 2300- Madison Ave., Granite City

• Friday, July 27, 2012 Gold Shift 12:00- 213 West 7th, Metropolis
   

 

2nd District Commander: Curt Moffitt
Springfield Local #37

First Shirt: Robert Dunn
Taylorville Local #3144

 

Training Sessions For 2nd District:

• Monday, February 13, 2012 Red Shift 09:99 Decatur, 4191 W. Rte. 36 in the Kirkland Room. Marching/Flags w/poles.

• Thursday, March 22, 2012 Black Shift 10:00 TBA

• Thursday, April 19, 2012 Red Shift 10:00 TBA

• Monday, May 14, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 Decatur

• Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 Decatur Mock Funeral, 4020 N. Water St. in Decatur please try to be there as we have the entire funeral home to ourselves.

• Thursday, June 21, 2012 Red Shift 10:00 TBA

• Thursday, July 19, 2012 Gold Shift 10:00 TBA

• Monday, August 13, 2012 Black Shift 09:00 Decatur

• Thursday, September 20, 2012 Gold Shift 10:00 Decatur

• Thursday, October 18, 2012 Black Shift 10:00 TBA

• Thursday, November 1, 2012 Gold Shift 10:00 *Remember, according to the new by-laws this is the last date to get your 2 trainings in for next convention.

• Monday, November 12, 2012 Red Shift 09:00 TBA

 

 

3rd District Commander: Alan Meyer
 Champaign Local #1260

First Shirt: Chris Hanson
Champaign Local #1260

Drill Captain: Tal Prendergast
Urbana Local #1147

Training Sessions For 3rd District:

 

Champaign Dates:
(Practices will be at Champaign Fire Station 5.  Corner of N. Mattis and Paula.

• Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Black Shift 16:00 Activation Roles & Responsibilities

• Tuesday, June 12, 2012 Red Shift 16:00 Marching Movements

• Tuesday, August 7, 2012 Black Shift 16:00 Pikes & Axes

• Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Gold Shift 16:00 Caisson Loading/Casket Management

Bloomington Dates:
(Practices will be held at 1911 E. Hamilton, Bloomingdale. Bloomingdale Fire Station 2)

• Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Black Shift 10:00 Pikes & Ases

• Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Gold Shift 10:00 Basic Movements

• Tuesday, June 26, 2012 Black Shift 10:00 Flags

• Tuesday, October 30, 2012 Black Shift 10:00 Drill & Ceremony

Urbana Dates:
(1701 E. Main Urbana, IL 61801

• Friday, April 13, 2012 Red Shift 08:30 Drill & Ceremony

• Friday, August 10, 2012 Black Shift 08:30 Flag Movements

• Friday, September 7, 2012 Red Shift 08:30 Drill & Ceremony

• Friday, November 9, 2012 Red Shift 08:30 Casket Management (To be held at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Rd., Urbana)

 

4th District Commander: Jay Coburn
Matteson Local #3086

First Shirt: Jim Bruno
Kankakee Local #653

Drill Captain: William Lambert
Lockport Local #1544

Drill Captain: Mike Bacon
Matteson Local #3086

Drill Captain: Joe Schuringa
Oak Forest Local #3039

Drill Captain: John Merino
Bolingbrook Local #3005

Drill Captain: Tim Moss
Oak Forest Local #3039

Drill Captain: Mike Srnick
Orland Park Local #2754


 

Training Sessions for 4th District:

• Thursday, February 23, 2012 Gold Shift 18:00 Matteson, 3445 W. 211th St.,  Pikes & Axes, Local Union Responsibilities,  Drill Captain Bacon

• Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Red Shift 18:00 Oak Forest, 5620 James Dr., Casket Management/Guard, Flag folding, Drill Captain Schuringa

• Saturday, April 21, 2012 Black Shift 10:00 Lockport, 19623 Renwick Rd., D&C, Basic Marching, Group Movements, Drill Captain Lambert

• Saturday, June 9, 2012 Red Shift 10:00 Riverdale, 13900 School St., Flag Movements/Etiquette, Color Guard, Guidons, Drill Captain Merino

• Saturday, September 29, 2012 Gold Shift 10:00 Lemont, 16028 W. 127th St., D&C, Basic Marching, Group Movements, Drill Captain Moss

• Saturday, October 20, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 Oswego, Multi-District Mock LODD Event District 6

• Saturday, October 27, 2012 Black Shift 10:00 Bolingbrook, 1900 Rodeo Dr., State of the District, Commander Coburn

5th District Commander: Luke Palermo
Franklin Park Local #1526

First Shirt: Bill Brehm
Franklin Park Local #1526

Drill Captain: Dave Bresnahan
Chicago Local #2

Drill Captain: Jeffrey Boetto
Evanston Local #742

Shawn Collins
Buffalo Grove Local #3177

Dave Macri
Des Plaines Local #4211

Scott Peterson
Elk Grove Local #2340

Joe Pryst
Skokie Local #3033

Kendall Wilson
Skokie Local #3033

Dave Malcolmson
Park Ridge Local #2697

 

Training Sessions for 5th District:

 

• Saturday, February 25, 2012 Red Shift 09:00 NIPSTA, 2300 Patriot Blvd, Glenview. Facing Movements, Marching, Casket Guard. Drill Captain Malcolmson.
• Saturday, April 7, 2012 Red Shift 10:00 Franklin Park Station #2, 10001 Addison, Franklin Park. By-laws change, guard info, D&C review First Shirt Brehm.
• Saturday, April 14, 2012 Gold Shift 10:00 Buffalo Grove. Drill Captains Collins & Hauber RESCHEDULED TO JUNE 9, 2012!
• Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Red Shift Location TBD Facing Movements, Marching, Posting of colors. Drill Captain Malcolmson CANCELED!
• Friday May 4,2012 Red Shift 09:00 Elk Grove Village FD Station 8, 1000 W Oakton St. Axe's, Poles & Flags.  Drill Captain Peterson.
• Saturday, May 12, 2012 Black Shift 09:00 Hill Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Avenue Des Plaines, IL 60016. Casket Management, Casket Guard, Flag folding.  Drill Captains Macri & Boetto.
• Saturday, May 19, 2012 Red Shift 09:00 Buffalo Grove. Drill Captains Collins & Hauber
• Saturday, June 9, 2012 Red Shift 10:00 Buffalo Grove. Drill Captains Collins & Hauber
• Wednesday, July 4, 2012 Gold Shift 4th of July Parade. 11:00 staging @ Skokie St. 16, 7424 Niles Center Rd, Skokie. Drill Captain Pryst
• Saturday, July 21, 2012 Red Shift 09:00. Topic TBD.  Skokie St. 17, 8157 Central Park Ave, Skokie. Drill Captain Pryst
• Saturday, September 1, 2012 Red Shift 10:00 LODD Responsibilities & review of benefits.  First Shirt Brehm
• Sunday, September 2, 2012 Gold Shift 12:00-14:00 Buffalo Grove Days Parade.  Drill Captains Collins & Hauber
• Saturday, October 13, 2012 Red Shift 09:00 Buffalo Grove.  Drill Captains Collins & Hauber
• Saturday, October 20, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 Oswego, Multi-District Mock LODD Event District 6

6th District

 

6th District Commander: James Slater
Lisle-Woodridge Local #2986

First Shirt: Matt Parris
Tri-State Local #3165

Head Drill Captain: Scott Mensing
Wheaton Local #3706

Drill Captain: Matt Berg
Algonquin Local #3985

Drill Captain: John Paul Kilanski
Algonquin Local #3985

Drill Captain: Kris Kearns
Oswego Local #4773

Drill Captain: Eric Bentley
Huntley Local #4106

AFFI Honor Guard Historian: Valerie Feld
Darien-Woodridge Local #3437

 

Training Sessions for 6th District:

• Saturday, March 10, 2012 Black Shift 09:00 Oswego, Flag Posting, Drill Captain Kearns

• Saturday, April 14, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 Bartlett, Axes & Pikes, Drill Captain Mensing

• Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Red Shift 19:00 Huntley, Axes & Pikes, Drill Captain Bentley

• Saturday, June 16, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00  Carol Stream, Drill & Ceremony, Drill Captain Diebold

• Saturday, August 18, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 Lisle-Woodridge, Sta. Drill, Commander Slater

• Saturday, October 13, 2012 Black Shift 09:00 Huntley, Casket/Flag Folding, Drill Captain Kearns

• Saturday, October 20, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 Oswego, Multi-District Mock LODD Event District 6

• Saturday, November 10, 2012 Black Shift 09:00 Bartlett, Casket/Flag Folding, Drill Captain Parris

• Saturday, December 22, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 Algonquin, Flag Posting, Drill Captain Kilanski

 

7th District

 

7th District

7th District Commander: Daniel Bower
Freeport Fire Department Local #441

First Shirt: Brett Hartwig
Freeport Fire Department Local #441
 

Training Sessions for 7th District:

• Saturday, March 10, 2012 Black Shift 09:00 904 S. Park Blvd., Freeport, IL 61032

• Saturday, April 14, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 904 S. Park Blvd., Freeport, IL 61032

• Saturday, May 12, 2012 Black Shift 09:00 904 S. Park Blvd., Freeport, IL 61032

• Saturday, October 20, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 Oswego, Multi-District Mock LODD Event District 6

8th District Pipes & Drums

8th District Commander/Drum Major: Mike Newton
Bolingbrook Local #3005

First Shirt/Pipe Sgt. : Tom Murphy
 DeKalb Local #1236

Pipe Major: Chris Coomes
Lombard Local #3009

Drum Sgt. : Andy Winckler
Naperville Local #4302
 

Click below to read the new AFFI Honor Guard 8th District Packet

AFFI Honor Guard Pipes and Drums Information Packet

Training Sessions for 8th District:

• Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Red Shift 18:00 -21:00 Manteno Fire St. #1, 13 S. Walnut, Manteno, IL 60950
• Saturday, March 31, 2012 Black Shift 10:00 - Skokie Fire Station 17, 8157 Central Park, Skokie IL
• Thursday, April 19, 2012 Red Shift 09:00-12:00 - Naperville Band Shell, 104 East Benton, Naperville, IL
• May - Champaign
• Thursday, June 7, 2012 Gold Shift 10:00 -Station 2, 995 Central Ave, University Park, 60484
• July - Springfield
• August - Naperville
• September - Bloomington
• Saturday, October 20, 2012 Gold Shift 09:00 Oswego, Multi-District Mock LODD Event District 6
• November - Skokie
• December - Naperville
• January 2013 - Naperville

 

 
Pipes and Drums of the Associated Firefighters Of Illinois perform amazing grace at 2011 state Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial
& Medal of Honor Ceremony.

 

Colorado Springs IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial 2005
The back row (r-l) Jim Collins-Naperville, John Adair-Naperville, Chris Coomes-Lombard and George Drobney-Downers Grove.  The front row (r-l) Mike Dickinson-Naperville, Jeff Duhoski-University Park and Mike Newton-Bolingbrook