BELL CEREMONY

The fire service of today is ever changing, but is steeped in traditions hundreds of years old. One such tradition is the sound of a bell.

In the past, every community had a bell, whether it was a church bell or a town bell. The bell called the townspeople to church, for meetings, and it called them when there was a fire. The people would form the bucket brigades to extinguish the fire and when the fire was out, they would toll the bell to let everyone know that all was safe and sound and that everyone could go home. The bell tolled three times.

We use these traditions as symbols, which reflect honor and respect on those who have given so much and who have served so well.

And now, Bob Willson, his tasks completed, his duties well done, the bell will ring three times and the pager will sound, in memory of, and in tribute to, his life and service.