Alabaster Firefighters Pipes & Drums
About Us
The Alabaster Firefighters Pipes and Drums is made up entirely of firefighters. The band is organized to honor
fallen firefighters. This is our first priority and most important responsibility! In addition, we strive to promote the brotherhood
and spirit of the fire service and serve as ambassadors for the cities and departments we represent, as well as the
Professional Firefighters of Alabama.
The band is the official band of the Professional Firefighters of Alabama and is the only
fire department band in Alabama. The band is funded from donations.
The band would not be possible without the assistance
of Chief Frank Matherson and the members of the Alabaster Fire & Rescue Service, Alabaster Professional Firefighters Association
L-4142, the Executive Board and members of the Professional Firefighters of Alabama, Jim and Judie MacRae, and our instructor Steven
Giles.
Why Bagpipes?
TRADITION,
HONOR, DUTY
The tradition of bagpipes played at fire department funerals in the United States goes back over 150 years. When the Irish
immigrated to this country, they brought many of their traditions with them. One of these was the bagpipe.
In the 1800's, Irish
immigrants faced massive discrimination. Factories and shops had signs reading "NINA"-No Irish Need Apply. The only jobs they could
get were the ones no one else wanted - jobs that were dirty, dangerous, or both - firefighters and police officers. It was not an
uncommon event to have several firefighters killed at a working fire. The Irish firefighters' funerals were typical of all Irish funerals
- the pipes were played. It was somehow okay for a hardened firefighter to cry at the sound of pipes when his dignity would not let
him weep for a fallen comrade.
Those who have been to funerals when bagpipes play knows how haunting and mournful the sound of the
pipes can be. Before too long, families and friends of non-Irish firefighters began asking for the piper to play for these fallen
heroes. The pipes add a special air and dignity to the solemn occasion.
Today, the tradition is universal and not just for the
Irish or Scottish. The pipes have come to be a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's funeral.
After September 11, 2001 members
began asking themselves, "Why is there not a fire department bagpipe band in the state of Alabama to honor fallen firefighters?"
In the tragic event of a firefighter death, the respective department would have to search for a bagpiper to perform at
the funeral. If a bagpiper was located, they were always a civilian, or not a firefighter. This greatly bothered us. After discussing
this it was decided it was time for a change! It was time for fallen firefighters to be honored by firefighters.
After
lots of hard work from our members and support from the fire service community, Alabama now has a fire department bagpipe band
to honor fallen firefighters and celebrate the fire service.
The Alabaster Firefighters Pipes & Drums are proud to serve
our brother and sister firefighters and continue the tradition started many years ago.
Our
Tartan
The Alabaster Firefighters Pipes & Drums proundly wears the
Modern MacKenzie tartan. The motto of Clan Mackenzie is “I shine, not burn."
