Seattle Firefighters...interested in joining the SFP&D? Go to the 'Contact' section or click here.
6/25/09
Since last posting the SFPD's been busy! We helped a 50 year firefighter celebrate his retirement, opened a 'new' fire station 31, played a local rugby match, performed at and honored some band members at SFD's Awards Night, played the Washington State Law Enforcement Officers annual memorial, christened a 'firefighters room' at a pub, opened the Washington State Council of Firefighters convention in Wenatchee, and even sent some guys to play with KZOK's "Spike and the Impalers" at the Emerald Queen. And it's lookin like the summer is gonna be just as, if not more, busy. The big event to plan for is the 2nd annual Pig & Pipes fundraiser this August 22 at the Old Pequilar Pub in Ballard. Come out and support the Seattle's Bravest Charity and also help the band go to Colorado Springs to honor the fallen at the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial. Tickets are $20, and include all the pig you can eat, with all proceeds going to the Bravest and the band. So put it on your calendar and come support two great causes! Hope to see you there!!
3/29/09
The SFPD was featured on Dave Becks NPR radio program, 94.9 KUOW, for a St. Patricks Day special. Click here to listen. And click here to see brief clips of the band in action during the parade.
3/26/09
MORE COWBELL!!! St Patrick's Day was a huge success. We divided into 2 bands of 12 and made 10 stops each! It was a long day but St. Patrick's day is always a blast and the crowds are always the most fun of the year. Thanks to all who were out and took good care of us. See you next year. Thanks also to our 'bodyguards' Chris Sullivan of Ladder 10, and Russ Cramer of Ladder 12...both future band members!
The St Patrick's Day parade also went great. We marched with 23 kilted SFPD members and a good sized group of firefighters from all over the state dressed in their class A's. It was our first year having firefighters march with us and will be a tradition we continue. SFD Engine 6 followed closely behind.
3/14/09
Vance "Dont Call Me Vancypants" Anderson joined the brotherhood of the band, the parade being his first gig. Vance joining makes the SFPD 25 strong. Vance really hates being called "Vancypants" so we're taking nickname suggestions (but I think we all know what it is!). Congrats Vance and welcome to the band!
1/20/09
Congratulations to side drummer Jason Lynch and his wife Kerra with the birth of their first child, Riley Thomas! Riley was born on January 12th weighing in at 7lbs 8 oz. Jason promised yound Riley would some day join the band and probably follow in dads footsteps as a drummer.
1/1/09
SFP&D looks forward to our 4th year as a band and hitting our 5th anniversary this September. We had a busy 2008, and 2009 is looking to be one of our busiest yet. We also have lofty goals this year of adding new tunes and even cutting a CD this fall which would hopefully be ready before the end of the year. Of course we'll keep you posted. Speaking of new CD's, if you haven't checked out the Seattle local boys' solo CD, be sure to check out Jori Chisholm's Bagpipe Revolution. It really is amazing. Click on the title to preview and order it.
9/22
SFP&D returns from the 2008 IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, our third trip to the memorial. Seattle put 2 more names on the wall of honor this year, James Scragg and Tim Heelan. We marched proudly with over 230 pipers and drummers from across the US and Canada in honor of those killed in the LODD over the past year. It was truly an amazing experience. Seattle fire represented our fallen with 18 pipers and drummers, 8 honor guard members and 6 sworn personnel. Mesa Fire has put together a great video capturing Saturday, the day of the event. See it below.
9/11
Congratulations and welcome to SFPD's newest member, Mark Colley (finally another piper!). Mark was kilted at the annual 9/11 police and fire get together at the Red Door and brings our kilted membership to 24. If you've never been, be sure to go next year and check it out. As far as I heard, that was the only 9/11 gathering in the city....NEVER FORGET was the motto then, and rings true today in the police and fire service!
9/09
SFPD had the distinct honor of playing for Skagit County Sherriff Deputy Anne Jackson today. Deputy Jackson was gunned down last week in the Line of Duty along with 5 other people in a tragic act of violence. The memorial was held at Burlington High School and was attended by an estimated 5000 people. For more on Deputy Jackson's memorial service click here and here. To see raw footage of the band click here and here.
8/15
Pig & Pipes!!!! The SFPD is sending a large group of pipers and drummers to Colorado Springs this year to participate in the annual IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial. Seattle will be putting James Scragg and Tim Heelan on the wall this year, both died from job related cancer this past year. We are having a fundraiser to raise money to offset plane and lodging expenses for the band.
Our fundraiser this year is the first annual Pig & Pipes. 'Pig' because we're roasting 2 pigs and 'pipes', well, what's a pig roast without bagpipes and drums, really? The event is at the Ol' Pequliar in the Ballard area of Seattle (1722 NW Market St) this Saturday the 23rd starting at noon. Tickets are $15 and include entrance, all you can eat pig, drink specials and a raffle. Come if you can, it will be a great time! Click here for pdf flyer.
8/7
For the second time this week, the Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums were honored to play for a fallen brother. East Pierce County Fire Chief was killed while scouting a wildfire on July 26th, 2008. Chief Packer deployed his emergency shelter but succumbed to smoke and heat. Chief Packer is survived by his wife, 4 daughters and 2 grandchildren. Click here for more information and videos.
8/7
The Seattle Firefighters Pipes & Drums had the sad honor of playing 18 year old Andrew (Andy) Palmer's, of Port Townsend, memorial service on Monday. Andy was assigned to an engine crew at the Olympic National Park in Port Angeles, Wa. He was killed on his first wildland fire deployment in California on July 25, 2008. Friends and family emphasized Andy's kindness and have set up an Andy Palmer Kindness Scholarship for future students who represent the kindness that Andy displayed in his short life.
Donations may be sent to the Foundation at 538 Calhoun Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368.
Learn more about Andy here.
8/2
Congratulations to SFPD's newest kilted member, Kent Burden from Engine 25. Kent was kilted and the Camano Island Community Fair where SFPD was honored to be named Best in Show....Kent attributes that award to his presence.
6/18
The Seattle Fire Department mourns with firefighter Mike Washington, E27, who lost his 20 year old
son, Sgt. Michael T. Washington, Second Battalion 7th Marine Regiment, United States Marine Corps on Saturday the 14th. Sgt. Washington was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanastan, the day before Father's Day, with 4 other Marines while returning from a mission. Please read more about Sgt. Washington here and here. Services will be held June 27th at Northwest Church in Federal Way at 1000 hrs. Sgt. Washington will be buried in Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.
6/13
SFP&D was honored to play Kent Firefighter Marty Hauer's LODD funeral on Tuesday. Marty was 41 and succumbed to job related cancer. He was a husband, father of 2, IAFF Peer Fitness Trainer and fireman. Rest in peace, Marty.
5/13
Here are some St Patrick's Day videos courtesy of Brendan and Paul Mulcahy. See them below.
3/18
Rolling over 20 members strong, double bassed and single malted, the SFP&D ended another successful, 12+ hour, St Patrick's Day pub crawl ending this morning a little after 2 am. If you didn't make it out, you missed a great one cause only the die hards (and possibly the unemployed) are out on a Monday! Check out the first video of the band at a packed Fado's in Seattle, here.
3/15
Congratulations to SFP&D's newest piper, Jared Hassing, Batt. 3 medic. His first performance was the Saint Patrick's Day parade in downtown Seattle. He's pictured below and looks strangely like Steve Martin....hmmm.
2/15
If you haven't checked out Hooligans new fire department pipe band site, check it out here. He does 'band of the week' every week and interviews a fire service band from somewhere in the US. Some great interviews to check out.
2/8
SFPD welcomes out newest member on the side drum, Jason Lynch (E13A). His first performance was Ch. Scraggs funeral. Due to the occasion his 'kilting' was postponed but he promises it will be a good one though in Wenatchee. Welcome aboard Jason.
Members pictured at Scragg funeral: Back row: Fredrickson, Voigts, Larson, Weiler, Hartill, Place, Simpson, Burkhart, Cameron, Lynch. Front row: Stroyan, E Nelson, S Nelson, Schultz, Zapf, Davis, Almond.
2/2
Seattle fireman Tim Heelan, E38 C shift, passed away January 30th surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. SFP&D will lay our brother to rest on Tuesday, February 5th in Olympia. Tim was 43 years old.
1/21
Battalion Chief James Scragg passed away peacefully on the 17th at the age of 54, surrounded by friends and family. Chief Scragg bravely battled line of duty lung cancer for 2 years before going home. He almost lost his life at the Pang Fire in '95 where 4 Seattle firemen died. Read more about this great man here in today's Seattle times article. A celebration of Ch. Scragg's life is planned for February 8th at the Naval Reserve Hall on Lake Union in Seattle.
12/10
SFPD plays funeral services for Seattle Fireman, Joe Bly, L6 B Shift, who died in a tragic car accident off duty. Read about Joe's life here. Rest in Peace brother.
12/10
Liz Jackson at Hero To Hero has just launched their new website! If you dont know what Hero To Hero is, it's a non-profit organization, ran tireless by Liz, that travels around the US and Canada collecting t shirts off the backs of police and firefighters to send to our troops in Iraq. Liz never rests and her hard work pays off boosting out troops morale. The SFPD will be playing the 'pack out' (shipping the shirts to Iraq) party March 8th. Details to be announced. Check out her new and improved site here: http://www.herotohero.us
10/25
Our buddy Hooligan's at it again. This time he has a new site dedicated to fire service pipe bands. He interviewed Palm Beach County and Ferge suggested he interview us next. Check out his website and the interview by Les Davis. http://firepiper.wordpress.com/
9/21
Some videos from the Colorado Springs Fallen Firefighter memorial which took place last weekend and was attended by over 150 pipers and drummers, 400-500 honor guardsmen, and the family of the 122 fallen firefighters put on the wall this year. Heres a quick clip of the massed bands and a slide show put together by John "Fergie" Ferguson of Palm Beach County.
Massed bands
Slideshow
9/20
Honestly, I feel a little embarassed that we've been bumped up to the #1 "Baddest Fire Department Bands in the US". Honored? Definately! But I dont know if we deserve the #1 slot, or if there even is a #1 spot. It seems like a lot of bands could easily carry that title- like Bergen County, FDNY, Boston Gaelic, Palm Beach County, Orange County, New Hampshire, Tualatin Valley, I could go on and on....But Hooligan bumped us up! We thank you again Hooligan, for not only thinking of us but giving us the title! One thing we do have going for us is we know how to party and all I can think is that that must of played into the equation in Colorado Springs. Thanks again Hooligan, heres a plug and a cheers from us! Hooligan.wordpress.com
9/17- Half Way to St. Patty's
Quite possibly the greatest kilting of all time went down last week as James B. was initiated into the SFP&D. We have a "kilting" tradition that new members must go through to be accepted into the band. After a new member is signed off to perform they must sing Minstrel Boy, drink a shot, then drop their drawers before we play the next set. It's been escalating every time but no one expected this.....welcome to the merry band of brothers James! I'd hate to have to follow this:
08/25
Hooligan.wordpress.com ranked the SFP&D #3 of the "Top 5 Baddest Fire Department Pipe and Drum Bands..." (back in June). I just hope by 'baddest' bands he meant good-bad and not bad-bad. We can assume he did since the other bands included were Cleveland, D.C., Palm Beach and FDNY, all great bands. Thanks Hooligan for: 1. knowing we even exist and 2. ranking us in the top 5! We owe you a pint...see you Colorado?
08/11
I'm a little late posting my own baby...but not because I dont love her more than anything. Sienna Grace was born to Michelle and Spencer on May 17th (yeah,yeah, I know) and has been a blessing ever since!
6/20
click to enlarge Combs' artwork
6/19
9 Charleston, S.C firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice today fighting a wharehouse fire. Rest in peace, brothers. You're going home.
Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson
Capt. Mike Benke
Capt. Louis Mulkey
Engineer Mark Kelsey
Engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity
Assistant Engineer Michael French
FF James "Earl" Drayton
FF Brandon Thompson
FF Melven Champaign
6/14
Keep your eyes, and ears, open for the sound of pipes from our brothers from the north. Snohomish County firefighters are getting together and starting a band, called the Snohomish County Firefighters Pipes & Drums. Welcome to the club, boys, we hope you'll be up and running soon! Click here to check em out.
6/3
Click here to watch a slideshow put together by our Cleveland Fire brothers (www.clevelandfirepipers.com) as they celebrate their 15th year as a band and remember some of the LODD's in which they honored the fallen. Strong work Cleveland.
5/21
Attention SFP&D members and trainees: Regular practices will be moved from Friday mornings to Wednesday mornings. Same bat channel, same bat time. The new practice days will begin on June 13th (C shift).
05/15
The SFP&D is featured in today's Seattle Post Intelligencer. Read Hector Castro's article online here. Thanks to Hector for the article and Gilbert Arias for the pictures!
05/14
More babies! Congrats to Karl (Engine 27) and Ann Zapf with their new arrival, Simon!
And to Mark (Rescue 1) and Catherine Place with their newest baby girl, Mary Catherine!
03/17 St. Patrick's Day week was a busy week for the SFP&D. Besides opening for the "Rod" (see below), the band also played Pre-St. Patrick day parties, Rollergirl jello-wrestling events, and appeared in 9 bars on St. Patty's day. We also added a new piper, Karl ("Hot") Zapf. Congrats Karl! And three cheers for Mark "Hot Legs Hoolihan" Place for winning the 'best legs in a kilt' contest at Jimmy Z's. (Sorry Rick, no honors for 2nd place).
03/10
The SFPD will open for rock legend Rod Stewart at the Key Arena in Seattle on Monday the 12th! Check ticketmaster for available tickets.
01/31
SFPD welcomes 2 new member....Mark Place on the bass drum and Rick Weiler on the side. Both were kilted on the 24th but at different locations as the band performed out first split-band gigs in Tacoma and Wenatchee. Welcome aboard boys!
01/31
Click on their names to see the kilting ceremony of our 2 newest members: Travis Stanley and "Paris" Hilton Almond. Those looking to be kilted, lessons start Feb. 02!
11/15
NEW TRAINING CLASS STARTS THIS JANUARY '07!!! The SFP&D is looking for a few good members. If you are a current or retired Seattle Firefighter
and are interested in learning how to play the pipes or drums and join the band, contact a current member for further info
or stay tuned to this website for further details.....
