Fire departments plan ‘Silent Alarm’ parade

On Oct. 8, members of the Erie County fire departments will once again gather together to commemorate the opening of Fire Prevention Week, by participating in a parade of fire and other emergency apparatus.

The 23rd annual “Silent Alarm” parade will form at the Erie County Service Center parking lot in Sandusky at 5 p.m. and will depart at 5:30 with a procession of fire equipment north along Columbus Avenue and ending at the Erie County Firefighter’s Memorial, which is located on the east lawn of the Erie County Courthouse.

Following along with the theme of the parade, the fire equipment will be driving at a slow pace with lights flashing, but will not be using sirens

or horns. This is to present a solemn reminder to the public of the need to pause and consider the dangers that are commonly associated with the presence of unfriendly fire, according to a press release.

A short ceremony will be conducted at the Memorial, which will include the reading of the annual Fire Prevention Week Proclamation by Erie County Commissioner Matt Old. There will also be the calling of the Last Alarm in remembrance of the following 13 Erie County firefighters who died in the line of duty:

• Fire Chief John Unckrich, Sandusky Fire — Dec. 13, 1891

• Captain Adam E. Hartung, Sandusky Fire — March 23, 1908

• Lieutenant Fred Rudolph, Sandusky Fire — Jan. 13, 1914

• Firefighter Cornelius O’Neil, Sandusky Fire — Oct. 29, 1914

• Firefighter Henry Rudolph, Sandusky Fire — Feb. 23, 1917

• Captain Michael P. McLaughlin, Sandusky Fire — Feb. 8, 1934

• Firefighter William T. Hayes, Sandusky Fire — Jan. 25, 1935

• Firefighter Robert L. Livermore , Bayview Fire — March 17, 1966

• Firefighter Robert E. Koch, Milan Township Fire — Feb. 11, 1971

• Firefighter Thomas Jenkins , Perkins Fire — Oct. 1, 1977

• Firefighter Frederick J. Melville Jr., Perkins Fire— Oct. 1, 1977.

John McGlashan will be performing on the bagpipes and Jared Fraylick, Adam Frederick, Carmen Thomas and Jordan Pruitt of Edison High School Band will be performing “Taps.”

Family members of the 13 fallen firefighters and all residents are encouraged to attend the Silent Parade and Memorial. This event will be conducted rain or shine.