OCFA Flag Etiquette
Introduction for Pledge of Allegiance
"Uniformed personnel and honored guests, please join me in pledging allegiance to the most recognizable symbol of freedom in the world, the great flag of the United States of America. Ready begin...."
What holidays will the U.S. Flag be flown at half-staff out of respect and honor for those who have given their lives for the United States and as directed per the US Flag Code?
-Memorial Day: Las Monday in May. Only from 0800-1200 -Peace Officer's Memorial Day: May 15th -Patriot Day: September 11th -National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Services: In October in conjunction with the service in Emmitsburg, MD -Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: December 7th
What time must the flag be raised and lowered at the Academy?
0650, Sunset
At the station, per SOP, what hours are the flag flown from everyday?
0800 to 1700 hours sharp, each day of the year. -(exception) If flag staff is illuminated, then the flag may be displayed 24 hours. -DOES NOT APPLY TO RECRUITS DURING ACADEMY AT RFOTC
Where is the United States Flag Code found?
Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code
What does red on the flag represent?
Hardiness and valor
What is the procedure for hoisting a flag to "half-staff"?
Hoist the flag to the peak of the pole for an instant and then lower slowly to half-staff position.
What is the Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
When may the mourning flag be displayed?
If the U.S. Flag is flown at half-staff and only upon the death of a firefighter.
All persons will stand at attention, face flag, and render salute when ____________..
In uniform
When was our current pledge of allegiance enacted?
June 14, 1954
May other flags be placed above the US flag or flown higher?
No.
All persons will stand at attention while facing the flag when____________...
Not in uniform
When may a flag be displayed during inclement weather?
Only when using an all-weather flag.
What does white on the flag represent?
Purity and innocence
What is the procedure for lowering a flag from "half-staff"?
Raise to the top then slowly lower to the base of the pole.
Where do you bring a flag to be disposed of?
Return it to the Service Center.
Which OCFA SOP addresses Flag Procedures?
SOP FA.01.05
At OCFA, who is responsible for the proper display of the flag, and its respectful care when not in use?
The Captain
What is the international sign of distress?
The U.S. Flag flown upside down
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag, the salute is held until......?
The flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music.
What does "half-staff" mean?
The position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and the bottom of the staff.
When displayed from a staff on a speaker's platform, the flag should always be placed __________________.
To the right of the speaker (audience left) in staging area or sanctuary.
True or False: The Chief of the Authority, or his designee, may order flags lowered to half staff when it is appropriate.
True
True or False; When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole the same height.
True.
When displaying the flag, either horizontally or vertically, the union is always to the ____________.
Upper left corner
What does blue on the flag represent?
Vigilance, perseverance, and justice
Most OCFA flags are made of _______/_________ and are to be removed during inclement weather.
cotton/nylon
The flag of the United States is always the __________ flag raised and ________ to be lowered.
first; last
Stand alone Reserve stations should have their flags ______________ and on _____________
illuminated; timers
When is night time display of the flag permitted?
When a patriotic effect is desired and the flag is illuminated.
When will the U.S. Flag be flown at half-staff?
When ordered by the U.S. President or Governor of California
After ascending tower, the recruit performs the following commands/actions.
1. Call out loudly "all uniform personnel, attenTION!" 2. Call out loudly "present arms!"...All personnel will comply per academy standard. 3. Raise/lower flag 4. Call out loudly, "order arms" followed by "as you were".
When is the flag saluted?
1. During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag 2.When the flag is passing in a parade or review 3. When in uniform and wearing a cover, render salute six paces before and six paces after passing. Without cover, right hand covers heart
How many stripes are on the flag?
13
What do the stripes on the flag represent?
13 original colonies
Between what years did Congress pass several acts that changed the shape, design and the arrangement of the flag and allowed stars and stripes to be added to reflect the admission of each new state?
1777 and 1960
What is the minimum and maximum number of recruits needed for raising/lowering the flag?
2-3
How many stars are on the flag?
50
What do the stars represent on the flag?
50 states of the Union
How many white stripes?
6
How many red stripes?
7
When used on a speaker's platform, if hung, the flag should be displayed _________________.
Above and behind the speaker
Ordinarily, between what time of day is the flag displayed?
Between sunrise and sunset
True or False; Other flags (ex. State, County, Organizations) may be flown while the Union is flown at half-staff.
False. When at half-staff, the flag is flown alone.
True or False; If you notice a flag is torn, you should immediately repair it.
False; A flag may be CLEANED but not repaired.
True or False: The flag should be raised slowly and lowered briskly.
False; The flag should be raised BRISKLY and lowered SLOWLY and ceremoniously.
What does OCFA's use of all-weather flags allow?
For flag display during all weather conditions, including rain.
Personnel raising and lowering the flags shall be in ___________.
Full uniform
What will the recruits wear while raising/lowering the flag?
Full uniform with helmet