Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
DUBUQUE FIRE PIPES AND DRUMS
DUBUQUE FIRE PIPES AND DRUMS. The band was organized in August 2009, when a group of firefighters wanted to bring a 150 plus year old tradition of the fire service to the area, the bagpipes.
In the early 1800s the Irish immigrated to the United States during the Great Potato Famine in Ireland. The only jobs they could generally get were dirty and dangerous like firefighting and law enforcement. During a working fire, it was not uncommon for firefighters to die. During the funeral, the pipes were played. After this tradition began, non-Irish firefighters requested the pipes be played at their funerals.
The goal of the Dubuque Fire Pipes and Drums is to be available to play at funerals, retirements, graduations, parades and any other occasion requested. A donation will be asked to provide continued support for the band. It is also our intent to spread the history and heritage of the Irish, Scottish, and the Fire Service.
The drums and uniforms are traditionally bought by the band. The bagpiper purchases their own pipes. Drums range from $600 for a snare drum to $1200 for a bass drum. Basic uniforms begin around $1000 per member. In 2012 Dennis Bradley, Assistant Chief, Key West Fire Department was the organization's president.
