One Last Run-Honoring Firefighters

In 2010 the Museum restored and modified a 1980 American LaFrance pumper to serve as a funeral caisson for active duty and retired firefighter funerals in Northeast Ohio.  Using the caisson is a special way to honor the life and service of an active duty or retired firefighter on their “Last Alarm”.

The funeral caisson is an exclusive service offered to firefighters in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Summit, Portage, Geauga, and Lake Counties.  In addition to firefighters, the caisson may also be reserved for deceased uniformed public servants including active and retired military.

For a donation of $500.00 to the Museum, the caisson may be requested for a local Cuyahoga County or surrounding county funeral within a 50-mile radius from the Museum.  Additional fuel allowances may be requested for more distant locations. There is no donation request for a line-of-duty death and a schedule covering other allowances or situations is available upon request.

Funeral Directors, firefighters and their families may arrange to use the funeral caisson by calling Dean Muarad at (216) 798-4005 or by at email fire.engine30@yahoo.com.

This is also a great option for firefighters who are looking down the road, planning their last run, advance arrangements may be made directly with their funeral director.

The Board of Directors is actively seeking funds for exhibits, displays and to complete renovation work on the second floor. If the family is agreeable, donation envelopes will be provided for use in making donations to the Museum in honor of the active duty or retired firefighter.  The designation of gifts to the Fire Museum, in lieu of flowers or other donations, is greatly appreciated by the Museum Board.