BAND HISTORY

Established in 2001, The New London Firefighters Pipes & Drums band fosters the proud tradition of pipes and drums during fire service ceremonies and pageantry. Our band is devoted to serving New London and other Southeastern Connecticut fire departments at "Line of Duty Death" firefighter funerals, memorial services, ceremonies, banquets, parades and other fire service functions.

Late 1996, early 1997 The New London Firefighters IAFF Local 1522 organized a color guard to participate in and attend funerals, memorial services, and other fire department related functions. Shortly thereafter, color guard member, and current Pipe Major Jonathan Paige decided to take it a step futher and began learning to play the bagpipes. About two years later FF Paige began playing at various functions along with the color guard. Over time more and more New London Firefighters became interested in learning how to play this, one time extremely annoying now, mysterious instrument.

Paige invited friend and fellow piper Bill Stewart to teach some firefighters how to play. Bill gladly accepted and on January 16, 2001 we had our first practice for the five new pipers and we were on our way. Bill remains the band's Pipe Instructor. After about a year a few more firefighters expressed an interest in learning the drums. A search to help these challenged drummers began and soon after our 1st Drum Instructor was found, New London resident and highland drummer Bob Copley gladly stepped up too this task.



The five original pipers of the band received their kilts by January of 2002, in preparation for their first public appearance at the New York City Tartan Day parade in April of 2002. The tartan chosen for our kilt was the Ramsey Red, as used by several other fire service bands in the United States, and known for its "Smoke over Fire" pattern.

Black and thin White line = Smoke
Red = Fire
Thin Double Dark purple = Fallen Firefighters

Although that is not the true meaning of the Ramsey Red tartan it makes for interesting discussion around the pub. The original uniform included the kilt, white spats, diced hose, military sporran, white uniform shirt, black military sweater, black tie and glengarry. Over time the band has been able to add to the uniform, using the highland regimental style, to include an impressive black tunic with red trim and Ramsey Red plaid in place of the sweater.



It wasn't long before the pipes and drums began to play together as a group at various functions through out the region. Although the pipers had played at many functions on their own, the "bands" first public performance was a memorial service at New London Fire Headquarters on 9/11/02 to honor those lost during the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Soon after the band hit the street playing at parades, funerals, memorial services, banquets, conferences, parties and fundraisers. In this short period of time we had eleven members on the street and another group of NLFF's interested in learning the pipes or drums.

The New London Firefighters Pipes & Drums is proud to be one of the only fire service bands in the Northeast where all members are New London Firefighters, or a direct relative. This is quite an amazing task considering the City of New London Fire Department employs only seventy-seven Firefighters and Fire Officers. As of 2006 we have over twenty members at various stages of playing ability and a Drum Major who has studied under Senior DM John McCaffery and world champion ranked DM Billy Jordan of Scotland. The band has won numerous awards throughout the region including winning the best pipe band in the Mystic Irish Parade the last three consecutive years.

Our band continues to meet every Thursday evening for musical and marching practice in an effort to improve upon our skills and expand our repertoire.