Bagpipe Tradition

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 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.

The Maltese Cross

Thus, these men became our first Fire Fighters and the first of a long list
of courageous Fire Fighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow
crusaders who awarded each hero a badge of honor-a cross similar to the one
fire fighters wear today. Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to
four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the
cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is your
symbol of protection. It means that the Fire Fighter who wears this cross is
willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed their
lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a Fire
Fighter's badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage...a ladder
rung away from death.

The Fireman's "Ringing of the Bell" Tradition

The ceremonial ringing of the bell in memory of those who died in the line
of duty is an age old tradition of the Fire Services that dates back over
150 years. The tradition reflects respect and honor to those who gave their
lives to their duty. A distinctive bell ringing marks the end of an
emergency and a return to quarters. In memory of all who died during the
attacks on September 11, 2001 the bell is rung five times in series of fives
(5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5). Multiplied out this equals 3,125, a number very close
to the number of people who died as result of the attacks.

The Dalmatian

The dalmatian was first used in the fire service when most fire companies
were volunteer or privately operated. There was some competition for
services. Some of the firefighters were actually recruited not only for
their strength in fighting fire but for their fighting abilities to protect
the company and its equipment. Insurance companies paid the fire company
that put out the fire, so the one that made it to the scene, hooked up to a
hydrant and completed the task, got paid. The dogs worked well at this task
of protecting not only the horses, but the equipment in the stations and on
the fire ground as well.

Early firefighters took tremendous pride in their companies. They would turn
out and parade through the city at almost any occasion. Great care was taken
in making your rig more fancy than the next one. Polished brass brilliant
paint jobs and gleaming leather were always maintained. It was only natural
that when word of this remarkable spotted dog was heard, companies had to
have one. Dalmatians began appearing with fire companies and they had the
expected impact. People pointed and gawked. They were that extra piece of
fancywork that every Jake wanted on his rig. The Dalmatian did the job
proudly but they had some drawbacks. They were hard to get and many of them were deaf. The American fire service was well served by this noble breed.
These free roaming dogs would dash out at passing teams of horses. They
would nip at the legs of the horses and generally harass the equines. In
addition to keeping the horses calm in the stable, the coach dog also had to
fend off these marauding dogs whenever the steam engine traveled over the
road. It was a very common sight to see the dog running out in front of the horses.

Today the Dalmatian serves as a fire house mascot, but back in the days of
horse drawn fire carts, they provided a valuable service. Dalmatians and
horses are very compatible, so the dogs were easily trained to run in front
of the engines to help clear a path and guide the horses and the
firefighters to the fires quickly. They are still chosen by many fire
fighters as pets in honor of their heroism in the past.

Why Red Fire Engines

The most widely-accepted reason that fire engines are painted red dates back
to the 1800s -- a time when there was a lot of competition between the fire
brigades of neighboring cities and towns. The firefighters of each brigade
took great pride in their pump. Each brigade wanted their rig stand out by
being the cleanest, having the most brass, or being a regal color. Because
red was the most expensive color, that's what color most crews chose to
paint the pump.
Other sources cite the tradition of painting fire engines red going back to
the early 1920's. Henry Ford wanted to make cars as inexpensively as
possible and only offered cars in one color: black. With all of these black
vehicles on the road, the fire service began painting their vehicles red in
an effort to stand out.