The tradition of bagpipes played at fire department and police department funerals in the United States goes back over one hundred fifty years. When the Irish and Scottish immigrated to this country, they brought many of their traditions with them. One of these was the Great Highland Bagpipe, often played at Celtic weddings, funerals and ceilis (dances).
It wasn’t until the great potato famine and massive Irish immigration to the East Coast of the United States that the tradition of the bagpipes really took hold in the fire department. 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 bagpipes when his dignity would not let him weep for a fallen comrade.
Those who have attended a funeral where bagpipes were played know how haunting and mournful the sound of the pipes can be. The most famous song played at fire and police funerals is Amazing Grace. It wasn’t too long before families and friends of non-Irish firefighters began asking for the bagpipes to be played for fallen heroes. The bagpipes add a special air and dignity to this solemn occasion.
Bagpipe bands represent both fire and police often have more than 60 uniformed playing members. They are also traditionally known as Emerald Societies after Ireland – the Emerald Isle. Many bands wear traditional Scottish dress while others wear the simpler Irish uniform. All members wear the kilt and tunic, whether it is a Scottish clan tartan or Irish single color kilt.
Today, the tradition is universal and not just for the Irish or Scottish. The bagpipes have become a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero’s funeral.
In the fall of 2000, Pipe Major Tige Harmon attended a funeral for a member of the Vancouver Fire Department and noticed that the piper at the event was from another agency. Tige felt strongly that we ought to be able to pipe for our own departed members, and this inspired him to take up the instrument and ultimately organize the band.
VFP&D membership is open to professional firefighters from the Southwest Washington area. Current and past members and trainees have included firefighters, captains, and Deputy Fire Marshals from various departments ranging in age from 27 to 49.
The logo was designed by members of the band and the department. The center graphic combines elements of a celtic knot and a maltese cross. The green and orange colors honor the flag of Ireland. The most commonly asked question about the logo is the meaning of the Gaelic, which translates to “Without fear, without reproach”, a slogan which has been associated with the Fire Department of the City of Vancouver since its establishment in 1867.