The mission of the W.P.F.M.H.G. is to support the fire departments and the families of fallen firefighters, while promoting citizen awareness to the dangers of fire.

The Honor Guard was organized in 1991 by Commander Martin J. Kauer.  We were founded in 1995 as the Western Pennsylvania Firefighters Memorial Honor Guard.

The purposes of the W.P.F.M.H.G. are:

1. To provide an Honor Guard for firefighter and emergency personnel funerals and memorial services, while providing the necessary support and equipment needed to the fire companies and families during the funeral proceedings.
2. To promote citizen awareness of the danger of fire, and to promote the skills of firefighters, through fire prevention educational programs.  The mission of our fire prevention program is to assist the fire companies and municipalities of Western Pennsylvania with additional teaching tools and equipment needed to bring about awareness to the danger of fire.
3. To support the fire companies and municipalities within our region with emergency support services, such as traffic support, fire / disaster scene rehabilitation, or other services needed at the time of disaster.
4. To promote the Irish and Scottish heritage within the Western Pennsylvania fire service community through the development of the Western Pennsylvania Firefighters Memorial Honor Guard Pipes & Drums.

Organization Overview:

• Founder - Martin J. Kauer, Commander
• Monument - Western Pennsylvania Firefighters Memorial - Voegty Cemetery, Troy Hill, Pittsburgh.
• Non-profit, Charitable Organization 501 c 3 Status
• Five (5) pieces of emergency apparatus
• One Fire Safety House
• Thirty (30) Honor Guard members
• Nineteen (19) Honor Guard Pipes & Drums members
• Commander and Color Sgts. are Graduates of the National Fire and Public Safety Honor Guard Academy.
• County Station Number - Allegheny County Station 386
• Primary Fire Radio Communications - County Regional Channel and Low Band.