The History of the Montgomery
County Fire Fighters Pipes & Drums Band Inc.
In the summer of 2004, members
of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Honor Guard
were attending the annual honor guard competition held at
the Maryland State Fireman’s Association Convention
in Ocean City, Maryland. During that convention, the members
of the FDNY and DCFD pipe bands performed jointly at the opening
ceremonies. It was at that ceremony that a member of Montgomery’s
Honor Guard, Lieutenant Russell Blinkhorn, recognized the
need for his own fire department to form a pipe band.
At the time, the Montgomery County Fire and
Rescue Service was growing at a rapid rate. In March of 2004,
legislation was passed establishing a uniformed County Fire
Chief who would have the authority to administer, direct and
originate Fire and Rescue operations. There were over 1000
career firefighters and approximately 300 active volunteer
firefighters operating 33 fire stations that protected a community
of nearly 1 million residents. These numbers continue to rise
today with new fire stations being built and additional firefighters
being hired to keep up with the county’s rapidly growing
population.
In October of 2004, after months of planning
such a large undertaking, Lieutenant Blinkhorn sent an e-mail
to every county firefighter soliciting for members that may
be interested in forming a pipe band. Receiving nearly 150
replies, additional e-mails were sent to those that were interested
informing them of the time and financial commitments that
would be required of them. The additional e-mails would eventually
lower the number to 50, due to the fact that many really did
not understand the commitments necessary. The first meeting
was held in late November and nearly 40 firefighters were
in attendance. During that meeting, goals were set and the
search for instructors began. Finding instructors to teach
40 inexperienced firefighters to play the bagpipes and drums
proved to be more difficult than expected. After months of
searching and many e-mail and phone calls, the search ended
in January of 2005. Stuart Frazier, the Pipe Sergeant of the
Frederick Scottish Pipes and Drums, had heard through rumors
that the newly formed band was looking for a bagpipe instructor.
After expressing interest, Stuart presented his history and
experience, and the band quickly accepted Stuart as their
bagpipe instructor. Anxious to begin, the first practice for
the bagpipers was held late January of 2005, while the search
for a drumming instructor continued. Through Stuart’s
contacts, the band was again very fortunate when they acquired
their current drumming instructor, Jason Hoffert. Jason is
a member of the City of Washington Pipe Band, the only grade
1 pipe band on the east coast. After months of anticipation,
the drummers held their first practice in April of 2005.
In desperate need of funds, the band held their
first fundraiser on March 19th at Mrs. O’Leary’s
Irish Pub in Gaithersburg. Many weeks worth of planning and
advertising for this event really paid off for the band. During
the event, it became very apparent that our fire department
was supporting us in any way they could. Hundreds of firefighters
and their families attended the event, participating in both
live and silent auctions, raffles, and purchasing the bands
first hats and t-shirts.
The band became a corporation on June 13, 2005
when the first set of by-laws were accepted by the membership
during their monthly meeting. Additionally, a uniform committee
was established to begin researching uniform ideas. The members
wanted to choose a tartan that represented our department
and the community they served. In the end, the tartan of Clan
Montgomery was chosen. Clan Montgomery was contacted and fully
supported the idea. The Clans crest was incorporated into
our patch to further represent the name.
After 5 long months of practicing on their practice
chanters, the pipers received their bagpipes on June 27th,
2005. Receiving the pipes further motivated the members, revealing
how much more work they had ahead of them. After months of
anticipation, the drummers finally began receiving their drums
on October 19th, and joint practices were scheduled so the
band would be ready to perform at their 2006 St Patrick’s
Day goal.
The band continues weekly practices to this
day, consisting of more than 20 truly dedicated members. The
band consists of only active or retired Montgomery County
firefighters, and is privileged to be one of the few fire
department pipe bands to achieve such a task.
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