About

Roster

Vice-President

Robert Kohler

President

Stan Crittenden

Pipe Major

Troyce Miskin

Honor Guard Members:

  • Joseph Haeberle
  • Gary Landon
  • Dale Pickering

Drummers:

  • Jon Gill

Pipers:

  • Stan Crittenden
  • Todd Davis
  • Ellis Johnston
  • Robert Kohler
  • Troyce Miskin
  • Orin Packard

The bagpipes have long been a tradition of the fire service. In 2009, members of the Madison Fire Department formed the Madison Fire Department Pipe Brigade in an effort to bring that tradition home to our area. Their motivation to do so was to strengthen the pride in our service, enhance the unity of department members, and to serve our community.

 

While members began practicing for the band, others began work on the Honor Guard. The first performance, for the brigade, was a flag presentation during the department’s Christmas Party in December 2009. Since that time, the honor guard has performed at various other functions throughout the county.

The most important thing about our brigade is that our members are all volunteers in this endeavor. Although we are Firefighters and we represent the Fire Department, we are not funded by the department and we are not paid for performing these duties. Funding for the brigade comes solely from our members, donations from our community, and fundraisers.

We thank each of you for your support in all that we do. Please consider donating or sponsoring our organization.

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Our Tartan

Firefighter Memorial Tartan exclusively by USA Kilts

A portion of all sales of these kilts are donated to the Leary Firefighters Foundation.

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This tartan was designed as a salute to firefighters, everywhere in the world, who are ready to sacrifice their lives everyday for the protection of others. It was also designed to memorialize those firefighters who have already made the ultimate sacrifice.

The red background of the tartan represents fire and the fire trucks;

The black is in remembrance of those who have already made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty;

The green and gold represent the Irish community which has such strong ties with the organization and occupation of fire fighting;

And lastly, the three red lines in the middle of each square are: 3 red threads, 4 red threads, and 3 red threads – representing the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11/2001 – the largest amount of fire fighters who ever perished in a single day in the history of the United States.

History

It was in the 1800’s, during the massive Irish immigration to the East Coast of the United States, that the tradition of bagpipes really took hold in the Fire Department.

Irish Immigrants faced massive discrimination. Factories and shops had signs reading “NINA” – No Irish Need Apply. The only jobs they could get were the ones no one else wanted – jobs that were dirty, dangerous, or both – Firefighters and Police Officers. It was not an uncommon event to have several firefighters killed at a working fire. The Irish firefighter’s funerals were typical of all Irish funerals – the pipes were played. It wasn’t too long before families and friends of non-Irish firefighters began asking for the bagpipes to be played for fallen heroes. Since that time the bagpipes have become an integral part of the fire service nationwide.

The pipes are played at funerals, parades, memorials, ceremonies & celebrations of Firefighters, Police Officers, & other heroic dignitaries. Their sound evokes an emotional response from those attending the services. This addition to the Department’s Honor Guard honors all who serve with Integrity, Honor, Pride, & Courage.

Our Logo

Each component of the Madison Fire Department Pipe Brigade emblem has significant meaning.

  • The belt and buckle form a circle around the crest to which we bear our allegiance.
  • The letters MFD are inlayed in the center of the logo. The letters refer to the “Madison Fire Department.”
  • The term brigade refers to an organization that is made up of two or more units. Our brigade is made up of:
    • The Honor Guard
    • The Band
    • All those who support us
  • The belt is inscribed with our department’s core values in Celtic:
    • Slaine: Integrity
    • Onoir: Honor
    • Brod: Pride
    • Misneach: Courage
  • The Maltese Cross is the universal symbol for the Fire Service. We wear this badge to show others that we are willing to sacrifice and serve others.
  • The Celtic Knot, which is formed with the inner, silver Maltese Cross and the Red Ribbon encircling the belt, represents unity in its strongest form.
  • The Fleur de Lis at the end of the belt has multiple meanings. We have selected “Purity” and “Goodness” because our motives for the brigade are the same.
  • The colors in the emblem:
    • Red = Passion. We are passionate about our goals which are to bring pride to our service, unify our department, and serve our community.
    • Yellow = Happiness. Our work and our music can bring others happiness.
    • Silver = Perseverance. We will never give up.