Doug Swartz

Doug Swartz is a native of Ohio but currently lives in Redington Beach, Florida with his wife and
daughters. Doug is the Founder and Commanding Officer of the National Honor Guard
Academy and has been a member or instructor of honor guards for over 40 years. After nearly
20 years in the fire service, Doug has retired from that calling to fully focus on teaching and
honoring those that serve. Doug has established and assisted with the development of several
honor guards and is involved nationally with honor guard ceremonies and funeral response.
Doug established his department’s first Honor Guard shortly after joining Clearwater Fire
Rescue in 2001 and it has quickly gained national recognition. He is involved on the State and
National level with both Honor Guard and LODD Response Planning. Doug is the Chair for the
Florida Fire Chiefs LODD Committee and leads the State Response Team to assist departments
with handling an LODD.

Other notable affiliations include: Board Member/Regional Director for the National Honor Guard
Commanders Association, Honor Guard Command Staff for the National Fallen Firefighter
Memorial Weekend, Member of Advisory Committee formed for the development of the
DOJ/NFFF State Response Teams and National Response Plan, and assists with the Florida
Fallen Firefighter Memorial through his membership in the Florida Fire Service Honor Guard
Association. Getting his start in the United States Marine Corps, where he ascended to serve as
Battalion Colors Sergeant, Doug never lost the passion for what the honor guard stands for and
continues to share it with dedicated individuals across the country.