Special Guest Piece From Jim at Smoke n' Pipes Click Here to get on it now! The forum I began in January 2007, the intent was to document the growth of Fire Service Pipe bands and for purposes of interaction a forums format made the best sense to me.  The growth of the World wide web in the 90’s has allowed Great steps forward in the entire piping world and is in part the reason for the  growth and a availability of Pipes and teachers as well the general popularity.  Accessibility to media fed world events such as September 11th, 2001 have also added focus to many and various regional interactions and have maintained a “snowballing effect” as shown on my “band list” which has grown Both Nationally as well as Internationally over the last two decades from literally a hand full of Active "firefighters Bands in the late 80’s to well over 100 Now, In 2007, Interaction and a spirit of Both Firefighting and Band brotherhood keeps the "Bandies"  as the most elite members of a very elite profession, Because they Not only "do the job" at great personal risk but They also regularly Honor They're own, Taking the Time and personal expense and sacrifices to learn The art of Piping or Drumming….. as well as time away from they're families to Play in the band.   Beyond the band list, The forum feature a LODD thread as well as numerous aspects of Piping and drumming solo and also as a group. The forum Offers so many aspects of the Fire service piping world, and allows much mutual support regionally as well as nationally and as I stated Internationally.  Whether your a band member or not or a musician or not or even a firefighter or not, you will find something of interest.. We would request If you are a Band Organization Member that you sign in to the meet and greet thread and give us  a little backround on your group..Hope to see You there !!!     JIM