Fire crew in tune with tradition

From kilts to bagpipes, some firefighters are bringing a bit of the highlands down to the streets of Spokane this weekend.

Seven firefighters have been practicing for Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade as part of the Spokane Valley Fire Department Pipes and Drums Corps, and if you live anywhere near their practice areas, you probably know that already.

“Well, the guys at the station get tired of us practicing,” said Greg Bennett, a fire equipment operator at Valley Station 8 and a snare drummer dedicated to keeping the ensemble in tempo.

On a rainy day last week, Bennett and three other Valley firefighters were practicing their steps and tunes in the massive regional fire training field house near Spokane Community College. Turning large, deliberate circles, the men try to keep time and produce traditional Irish tunes from their bagpipes, which can be heard from far across the complex’s enormous parking lot.

They’ll be playing in Spokane’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, starting downtown at noon Saturday. For the rest of the day, and next Friday on the official holiday, the team will play at various pubs and taverns.

The crew formed after Sept. 11 to build camaraderie as part of an honor guard.

“We didn’t have a way to honor our guys in a traditional way,” said Brian Foster-Dow, the leader of the group and captain at the Valley’s Station 1.

In the beginning, none of them knew how to play the instruments. But they started practicing, and every year they improve, he said. Since then, the group has been playing for a few years at parades, some funerals and other events.

And yes, they’ve heard all the jokes.

“There is a general curiosity out there concerning the apparel,” Bennett said. When the crew plays at pubs and bars, sometimes there are “overly enthusiastic patrons” taking things into their own hands, which makes for a bit of discomfort, he said.

The group practices throughout the year, both as a chance to hone musical skills and also to spend time together. They’re one of the only all-firefighter bands they know of in the Northwest. Many departments will accept community members, as well.

But the Pipes and Drums Corps keeps its membership to Valley firefighters only, and though it’s nothing they look forward to, their first priority is to play at funerals for active duty firefighters who die while serving.

“There are traditions that go all the way back to the first fire departments,” Foster-Dow said.

Their appearances are free, though they do seek donations to pay for the equipment and to raise money for a trip to play at the major firefighters memorials across the country. They make their most money during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Part of keeping the task enjoyable is to keep it from becoming a burden, Bennett said.

“We’ll do this as long as it’s fun,” he said. “We strive for mediocrity. We want to be outstandingly average.”