Welcome to our website!

Welcome to the Oak Bay Firefighters Honour Guard Webpage. The Fire Department Honour Guard was formed in 2012 with a few members and quickly became 6 who volunteered for the positions. Captain Inspector Ken Gill was the Honour Guard’s founding member, Capt. Gill was our fire prevention officer at that time with a clear vision of the need and use of a guard. Working with the Fire Chief, Dave Cockle, back in 2013 the joint guard was formed and Ken assumed the role of the Guard Commander. Union members were approached, activation into the guard was voluntary for all the original 6 members.

Our union shares the costs of the guard with Fire Department, but Local 1856 100% funds our members to attend National Fallen Firefighter, International Fallen Firefighters, Line of Duty Deaths and other events in North America. The Fire Department assists in operational costs of the guard, supporting our interests and allowing us to wear the department uniforms. Ken Gill retired from the ranks becoming our chaplain after retirement. Ken approached Lt. Joynson and asked that he take over the Honour Guard commander role. This fit Lt. Joynson well with his CAF, infantry background before joining the fire department.

Lt. Joynson was instrumental in advancing the guard’s role and function, creating mission statements and organizing events for the guard to attend. He also made the proposal to the Fire Department for our new uniforms, designing the current surge tunic’s we have. In 2015, cohesively with the Union and Fire Department, an agreement to jointly fund the new uniform purchase was made giving the guard a professional and distinct look. The union solely funded other custom regalia to enhance this uniform over time and wear it proudly at public and closed events.

Lt Joynson also designed the current Honour Guard patch you see below, first seeking, then obtaining permission from our Fire Chief at that time, Darren Hughes, Lt. Joynson had this crest produced and sewn onto our uniforms on one shoulder, the Fire Department patch is on the other, symbolizing the two distinct organizations our guard represents, IAFF Local 1856 and the Oak Bay Fire Department. Today our guard members attend many events in the capital region, including the BCPFFA fallen firefighters memorial at the legislature, the terry fox run kickoff, local first nations games, medal presentations and at the passing of our retired members, all volunteered hours off duty. We also attend the annual retirement dinners of our past members, and have used the amazing Victoria Fire Department drummer and piper (aka the LeBlancs) to lead us into these events.

Tradition is the process by which each mature generation hands over what it has learned to those in the rising generation, our Honour Guard ensures that new recruits understand our culture and our founding traditions.

Lt Joynson

We hope you enjoy looking around, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with your comments.