The year is 1396; the great clan fight of North Inc of Perth is raging in the misty hills. “Clans stalked into the barriers to the sound of their great warpipes.” The clan Chatten’s sole bagpiper plays as his clan flurries into battle. During the fight, the piper is attacked, as he drops his instrument, he dons his sword and dispatches his foe, but not without becoming wounded himself. As he gathers himself, the piper rises with his pipes in arm, and proceeds to play his clan to victory before finally succumbing to his wounds.

The history of bagpipers in the fire service is related to their historic role during wars fought in what is now known as the United Kingdom. Descending directly from Scottish regiments in England’s military, the bagpipes, or the Piob Mohr as it is historically referred to, has a penetrating shrill that can be heard for miles. The men who played the pipes began to migrate to America and took jobs as firefighters and police officers since nobody else was willing to take on such dangerous jobs. When a firefighter died, it was parallel to the death of a warrior in battle. Scottish tradition dictates that bagpipers play in order to lament the dead.

It is this very image that brings firefighters like Captain Robert Hewitt to be captivated by such an emotionally charged musical instrument. Captain Hewitt began his career in the fire service in the Los Angeles County fire camps in 1978 and worked his way up the ranks to become captain in 1989. His Scottish music experience began when he was a Drum Sergeant for the Royal Canadian Legion Highlanders at the age of 13. After deciding to take on the challenge of learning this extremely difficult instrument just a few years ago, Captain Hewitt has played at many different events, include the annual Firefighters Memorial Service at Fire Department headquarters, high school memorials and flag ceremonies.

The pipes are played at funerals of both fallen firefighters and police officers and may be accompanied by a core of drummers. Their sound evokes an emotional response from those attending the services. Those who know little or nothing about the instrument’s history are nevertheless stirred and overwhelmed with the sweet sound it emanates; those who are well informed of its roots are touched even more. This addition to the Department’s Honor Guard honors our fallen as they should be…just as they were 800 years ago.