I started playing with the rest of the band in Oct. of 2007 and I’m still learning, give me another 20-30 years or so and ask me again.
When was the band established?
We started playing practice chanters and pads in Oct. of 2007, and the 501C3 corporation was established in early 2008.
What is the history behind the forming of the band?
In the summer of 2007 Seattle Pipes and Drums visited Lewiston and stopped by the station and played for us.The pride and honor that they displayed while playing for us got us thinking about starting our own band.About a month later we had practice chanters and were off and running.
How many members do you have in the band?
We have 19 members of the Lewiston Firefighters Pipes and Drums organization.11 of those have instruments and outfits and are performing at various functions.
Do you have any students?
The other 8 are still students in various stages of learning.
Lewiston is not a huge department according to the Department website you have 51 full time and 14 part time employees,but you have a band of 10 people….how did you guys pull that off?
We have 51 paid employees; only 44 of those are full time firefighters and 11 part time firefighters.When we first talking about creating the band there was about 5 guys that ballooned into about 20 in a couple of days.We have had great support from all of the members.
When I think of Idaho the first thing that comes to mind is not Pipes and Drums how did you guys get a band going?
Different guys in the dept. had been talking about creating a band for a couple of years now.When the Seattle guys came by and played for us was the shot in the arm that we needed.
Did you meet any resistance or naysayers when you were trying to form the band?
We didn’t have any resistance; in fact we have had a lot of support.As for the naysayers I think that a couple had doubts (maybe even me), but as we started practicing everyone could see the dedication of the members.Two months after starting w/ practice chanters and drum pads we were purchasing our first set of instruments.
How long did it take from the formation of the band to become a performing band?
That’s kinda of a funny question.I don’t think that we are a performing band yet (we have high standards to meet – Seattle Pipes and Drums).We are still working on our song list, but our first performance was for a Washington State Trooper (who passed away from complications of cancer) on 12 April, 2008.
How is the management of the band setup?
We are incorporated as a 501C3 with the IRS and a board of directors of 15 (founding members).We have a president, vice-pres., secretary and treasurer.
How do you raise money as a band?
So far we have had tee shirt sales, and a couple of donations.We have also sold 50/50 tickets for the NAIA World Series (due to the current economical status of the Nation we’re thinking about working the street corners).
Is the band able to pay for some or all of any expenses a member might incur?
No.Currently each member pays for his instrument and clothing.
Did you guys all buy pipes at the same time?If so did you guys get a discount?
The initial members of the band did.Initially we were not going to have engraving on the pipes, however Chicago Fire was ordering engraved pipes at the same time and we were able to piggy back on their order and were able to have engraved pipes for a discounted cost.
What brand of Pipes where chosen and why?
We chose the McCallum pipes because we had heard good things about their customer service.We have had some surface cracks on our stocks and they were immediately replaced.We are very pleased w/ the pipes.Our drummers chose Pearl drums and are very happy with the way they perform.
Could anyone play the pipes or drums prior to forming?
One drummer had experience in pep and jazz band.For the rest of us there wasn’t much experience.I was kicked out of band in the 7th grade after two months.
Where did you find instructors?
We have a local pipe band (Border Highlanders – out of Lewiston/Moscow).Our pipe instructor, Reid Wilson, owns a local business (Polar Bear restaurant) and donates his time to the band (he is now a honorary member of the band).As for the drummers their instructor is Quinten DeWitt who is the drum instructor for the University of Idaho (he is also responsible for their marching band and is also a member of the Border Highlanders).
How did you approach the instructors or convince them to instruct the members of your band?
Lots of beer!Actually the Highlanders had been trying to get a Fire Dept. pipe band for a couple of years.When Reid heard about the band he contacted us and offered his experience (40 years).As for Quinten his personal business is providing drum lessons.He offered his services at a discounted cost and was willing to work with the drummers schedule (lots of early mornings).
Lewiston Firefighters Pipes and Drums at the NAIA World Series
Was the band a hard sell to the Administration of the Fire Department?
No, actually we are separate from the Fire Dept and union.With that being said we have had a tremendous amount of support from our administration (Fire Chief and Division Chief) and the union.The chief lets us use the training room in station 1 for our weekly practices.
Was the band a hard sell to the members of the department?
Same as above, the membership has showed us great support.Usually every night you can visit a fire station and hear a drummer/piper practicing.I worry about our Capt. @ station 1 (A shift) we have 4 pipers and one drummer that practice every night, but the guys have been great and shown us lots of support.
Who came up with the motto for the band?
As a group we sat down and came up with what the band means to us.The words, Brotherhood/Honor/Bravery/Tradition are what best describes what a firefighter and pipe band morals are.
What does the motto mean to you?
It really does describe what firefighting is all about.As I read through the band of the week on your site it seems like all of us have a common theme.We either want to keep or get back the tradition of the fire service.
Is membership in the band strictly Lewiston Firefighters and instructors or do you allow others to join?
For now it is Lewiston Firefighters only w/ Reid as a honorary member.He has given us so much that he really is a member of the Lewiston Firefighter family.
Why did you guys decide to limit membership in the band to Lewiston only?
Currently we have a honor guard that is shared through four different departments.We wanted to have something that we could call our own.When we first started talking about creating a band we had enough interest within our own department.However, we do allow piper/drummers that are not LFD to come and practice with us.
Practices, where are they and how often?
Our scheduled practice is every Monday for the band.The drummers have their own practice on every other Sat.Most of the pipers are on the same shift/station and practice together almost every night.
Do you guys require that a member has to attend a certain number of practices or events?
In the bylaws of the band we require that band members make at least half of the scheduled practices.
Who decides or how is it decided that a student is ready to make the transition to playing in public?
Right now if they have an instrument we let them play.It is actually the band members who decide if the student is ready to play.Our first group of pipers/drummers are all playing and we are just starting to get a couple of more pipers.If they can play the songs that we play as a band then their off and running.
How do you explain the importance of a Fire Department Pipe and Drum band to those who don’t know or simply “Don’t get it”?
Well, we/I always tell them that back in the 1800’s the only job that Scots or Irish could get were those of police/firemen which started a tradition that we are now trying to bring back into the fire service.
What was your first performance as a band?
Our first performance (2 pipers) was the WSP funeral.However, as a full band we played for our local high school Sober Graduation on 19 May, 2008
Lewiston Firefighters Pipes and Drums playing at Sober Graduation
How were you received at the first public performance?
It was actually a little bit overwhelming.Before the performance we had high school kids asking us about piping and some of them wanted to learn how to play.As for the performance we received a standing ovation.
What was the last event you played?
As a full band we played together at the Idaho State Veterans home on Memorial day (30 May, 2008). Some of the dignitaries in the crowd included U.S. Senator Larry Craig, IdahoState rep. Liz Chavez and John Rusche and also ret.State rep. Mike Mitchell.
Lewiston Firefighters Pipes and Drums at the "Iam an American" Memorial Day Celebration
What was the most memorable performance in your mind?
After we were done playing at the Vets home we stopped by the school of one of our band members daughters (1st grade) and played a couple of songs for them (just the smiles on their faces was very gratifying).
What tartan do you wear and why was it chosen?
We wear the Cunningham modern.We liked the red for the fire service, the black for our fallen brothers, the white for the bravery and the blue representing the EMS of the fire service.
Where did you guys get the bag covers made?
The dept. donated our old turnout jackets to us and one of the band members and his wife sewed them.One bag cover takes the full back of a turnout coat and takes approx. 5 hours to sew.
Have not asked this one in a while…..Best answer for when someone asks “What’s under the Kilt?”
Give us two more beers, a couple of dollars and let you see the twig and giggle berries.
Anything else you want to add?
Just one other thing to add.One of our engineers (Kevin McKiernan) purchased one of our old front line engines, a Grays fire engine – one of two that was manufactured in Lewiston and has refurbished and lets the band/honor guard use it as a parade/traveling vehicle.
Lewiston Firefighters Pipes and Drums Memorial Day
