• Join The Band

  • The New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society is always happy to welcome new members. To be eligible, you must be a paid professional firefighter.

  • Past Accomplishments

  • The band has marched in St. Patrick’s Day parades in New Haven, Milford, Meriden,
    Southie (Boston), Charlotte, NC, Manhattan, Savannah, GA as well as the 2019 Key West Paddy’s Day Pub Stroll. The band has performed at the annual Military Tattoo at West Point, the National Fire Academy Firefighters Memorial in Washington, D.C., and at Tartan Day in New York City. The band proudly represents the Emerald Society at Line Of Duty Death funerals, award ceremonies, promotion and graduation ceremonies for firefighters, and 9/11 ceremonies throughout the county and beyond. We annually play in Memorial Day parades, we’ve played Special Olympic ceremonies at the United States Coast Guard Academy, and several State Firemen’s Convention activities, some band members have also taped an episode of the TV show Rescue Me. The band also has performed at St. Baldrick’s Day fundraisers in New Haven, Meriden, and Gilford, New Hampshire. The band also participates the NFL – United Way fundraisers. Every March 17th, the band begins the High Holy Day with an appearance on The Dan Patrick Radio Show, heard nationally on the ESPN radio network. The day then deteriorates rapidly with a day long, countywide pub crawl.

  • Future Goals

  • As we head into 2023 with a new line-up of officers and some new students already coming on board, we are excited to polish our sounds up and expand our number of members. There are many “bucket list” events we are looking at, who knows, we may check one or two off this coming year!!

    We have also kicked around the idea of recording a CD, hosting a massed band gathering of Fire Department and Emerald Society pipe bands from across the country. This is our contribution to keep the tradition alive. There has also been talk of planning a band trip to march in a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ireland hopefully sometime in the near future.
    The possibilities are endless!!

  • Getting Started

  • To get started, contact any band member or simply show up at band practice and introduce yourself. We are currently running separate pipe practices, drum practices and have what we call an “all band” practice as well. Beginner pipe and drum lessons are provide by the band at practice but we have a pipe instructor that we use and we can refer you to also. To get started costs less than a good night of drinking (something the band knows a thing or two about). Pipers begin on a practice chanter, which costs less than $100. Sticks and pads for drummers cost less than that. The band also purchases the drum for you once the Drum Sergeant pronounces you ready for the street. Pipers must buy their own set of bagpipes.

  • Character Guys and Just Plain Characters

  • Ask any band member, there is no better group of guys & girls than the Emerald Society Pipes & Drums. They’ll rip each other to shreds but when one needs something, all are there to help. All of our road trips have been memorable (for those who can remember). The comraderie, once a hallmark in the fire service, still exists in the band. If you think you may be interested in joining, please contact the members listed below.

  • Contact Us

  • If you are interest in playing the pipes, contact:

    Pipe Major Dave Gade wfd8888@gmail.com

    Pipe Sergeant Billy Seward chiefseward@gmail.com

    If you are interested in playing the snare drum, contact:

    Drum Sergeant Tony Mancini tonyfromct@aol.com

    If you are interested in playing the tenor drum, contact:

    Drum Corporal Craig O’Rourke corourke70@yahoo.com