Final alarm sounds worldwide for fallen Air Force firefighter

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SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  Air Force firefighters worldwide participated in a one-minute "final alarm" ceremony Feb. 16 honoring Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel who died while attempting to rescue two Soldiers after their Humvee overturned in a canal in Iraq.

Officials estimate that more than 3,900 active-duty firefighters, countless civilian firefighters and thousands of other servicemembers at Air Force installations around the world participated in the ceremony.

The fire department bell rings to signal the start of a shift, the call for assistance, the successful completion of a day and in this case, the passing of a hero.

The final alarm, also referred to as "signal 5-5-5," is a long-held tradition in America. It started when red fire alarm boxes were found on city streets throughout the country. These made use of telegraph signals to call local dispatchers, who would in turn signal the appropriate fire station to respond to a fire. The alarm signified the return to quarters. When a firefighter fell in the line of duty, the dispatcher would tap out the signal three times to notify all stations as a sign of honor and respect. For those who are honored in this way, the signal represents the end of his or her duties, and for comrades, the sounding of the alarm signals the firefighter’s "coming home."