E-board of the Chicago Fire Dept Pipes & Drums

  Meg Shanahan Cap, Secretary (Drum Cpl)

Chicago Fire Department family member Meghan Shanahan Cap is the daughter of retired Battalion Chief John Shanahan and granddaughter of 3rd generation firefighter, Edward Baley.  She is married to FF PM Tony Cap. She is an architect by day and tenor and bass by night.  Meghan has been in the band since early 2017.  By mid-year, Meg was found to be so motivated to learn and eager to teach tenor routines that Drum Sgt Ray Fineron promoted her to Drum Corporal, in charge of the Tenor Section.  Meghan's promotion to an officer in our band is the fastest promotion in our band's history.

Robert Cribben, V.P./Treasurer (Pipe Sergeant)

Bob is a 30 year CFD Lieutenant/Paramedic who started learning bagpipes when the band organized.  As Pipe Sergeant, Bob is active in instructing our student pipers to become familiar with the practice chanter, as well as help our developmental pipers become more proficient.  He's a strong leader in the Pipe Corps where he takes the Lead Piper role in the absence of the Pipe Major.  Bob currently serves on the E-board as the band's Treasurer and as a musical officer in the capacity of Pipe Sergeant.

Music Officers of the Chicago Fire Dept Pipes & Drums

Jim Barry, Band Manager (Snare Drummer / Lead Snare)  

Jim has been a paramedic on the CFD since 1993.  He holds the rank of Paramedic Field Chief with over 25 years of experience on the department.  Jim joined the snare section about 10 years ago with no past music experience.  Now he is one of the snare drummers entrusted to play Lead Tip.  Three years ago Jim stepped up and became the Band Manager.  In this capacity Jim is in charge of the musical side of the band.  Primarily, he is the one who sets up our performances.

"Before I came here, all I knew about music was how to listen to it.

I owe all my percussive abilities to Ray Fineron" 

- J Barry

Kevin Kendrigan, Pipe Major

Kevin is an Engineer/Paramedic who has served the CFD for more than 10 years. He joined the band in 2008 and has been one of the most dedicated members since its inception. Kevin has served as the Band's Vice President and Treasurer.  Kevin was promoted to Pipe Major last year after serving as interim Pipe Major for over a year.  Kevin is only the band's 2nd Pipe Major, following Paul Foertsch after he took a Leave of Absence.  Kevin's loyalty to the band is unparallelled.

Ray Fineron, Drum Sergeant 

Ray has been on the CFD for over 20 years.  He is a Lieutenant/Paramedic in the 1st Fire District and has been playing drums for 35+ years.  Starting at Christ the King elementary, Marist High School's marching, concert & jazz bands, and then majoring in Percussion Performance at Illinois State University.  Ray has also played side & alto for the Stockyard Kilty Band and the Chicago Caledonian Pipe Band.  While not serving as Drum Sgt for the CFD P&D, Ray enjoys playing drums with his Christian rock band, E85 (e85music.wix.com/amen).  He has served the band in the past as Treasurer, Quartemaster and Band Manager.

- Robert Cribben, Pipe Sergeant (see "Treasurer" above for bio & picture)

Dan Swift, Pipe Sergeant

An over 25 year veteran and Captain of the CFD.  Dan started learning the bagpipes when the band organized.  Dan helps instruct our student pipers on the practice chanter and also helps our developmental pipers become more proficient.  He is a strong leading presence among the Pipe Corps where as Pipe Sergeant, Dan takes the Lead Piper role when the Pipe Major is absent.  Dan has served on the E-Board as Vice President and has held the position of Quartermaster.

  Jason Milakovich, Drum Corporal (Side Section Leader)

  Jason is a Firefighter/Paramedic on the CFD and is assigned to ALS E116.  As Drum Corporal, he takes Lead Tip in the absence of the Drum Sgt.

  Bio coming shortly...

Meghan Shanahan, Drum Corporal (Tenor Section Leader) (see "Secretary" above for bio & picture)

Instructors of the Chicago Fire Dept Pipes & Drums

Dave Johnston, Pipe Instructor

Dave has been playing the bagpipes for over 30 years and learnt as a child through the Williamwood Pipe  Band in Glascow, Scotland.  Dave played with Williamwood for 23 years before moving to Chicago in 2005 and  joining the Chicago Caledonian Pipe Band. Williamwood Pipe Band won the World Pipe Band Championships in their Grade in 2002 and 2003, before being promoted and crowned European Champions in 2006, then further promoted and crowned Cowal Champions in 2007. Dave has been teaching for over 20 years both privately and within pipe band structures.  He continues to teach a number of private students in the Chicagoland area, including high school students, police officers, fire fighters and many others.  He also works as a full time instructor for the Pipes & Drums of the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Fire Department Pipes & Drums.  Dave is also the founder of Chicalba Bagpiping Services (http://www.chicago-bagpiper.com/) where they provide professional bagpipe services for any occasion. 

Luke Cunningham, Pipe Instructor

Playing bagpipes since the age of 11, Luke came up through the Chicago Caledonian Pipe Band where he competed at the Grade 2 level.  Luke has been teaching privately for over 15 years.  He works as a professional bagpiper and full time instructor for the Pipes & Drums of the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Fire Department Pipes & Drums.  

Luke also teachs for charitable organizations  like  http://murphsgiftofmusic.org/murphy/.

- Ray Fineron, Drum Instructor (See "President" above for bio & picture)

Members List

* Denotes Charter Member      ' Denotes Retired CFD     

" Denotes Civilian CFD Family     ~ Denotes OEMC

Pipe Corps

Kevin Kendrigan,  Pipe Major 

*Dan Swift, Pipe Sergeant

*Bob Cribben, Pipe Sergeant & VP/Treasurer . . . Brother of Ellen Cribben, Tenor

*Marty Gatton (Also plays Bass Drum) . . .  Father of Matt Gatton, Snare

*Jason Peace

Jim Walsh

Todd Williams 

Gregg Bagdade

Fred Exter

" Ruth Johnson  (Also a member of the Pipes & Drums of the Chicago Police Dept)

Drum Corps

 Side 

*Ray Fineron, Drum Sergeant

Jim Barry, Band Manager / Lead Snare

Jason Milakovich

' Steve Knott

Kevin Lynch, Quartermaster

" Cathleen Shanahan . . . Wife of John Shanahan, Pipe Student  & Mother of Meg Shanahan, Drum Cpl/Tenor

" Matt Gatton  (Also Learning Bass Drum) . . . Son of Marty Gatton, Piper & Bass Drummer

Brad Petty

 Midsection

" Meg Shanahan Cap, Drum Corporal, Secretary. . . Wife of  FFPM Tony Cap and Daughter of  BC John Shanahan & Cathleen Shanahan, Snare

" Ellen Cribben, Advisor/Civilian . . . Sister of Bob Cribben, Piper Sgt & Treasurer