Chicago Fire Department Pipes & Drums

E-board of the Chicago Fire Dept Pipes & Drums

Dan Swift, President/Pipe Sergeant

Dan is a Battalion Chief and member of the May 1996 Candidate Firefighter class with over 29 years of experience on 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 as a Pipe Sergeant, Dan takes the Lead Piper role when the Pipe Major is absent. Dan is currently serving as our band's president. Dan has served on the E-Board as Vice President and has held the position of Quartermaster.

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

Bob is a Lieutenant/EMT on the CFD with over 37 years of experience who started learning bagpipes when the band organized in 2007. 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 30 years of experience on the department. Jim joined the snare section about 15 years ago with no past music experience. Now he is one of the snare drummers entrusted to play Lead Tip. Ten 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 a Lieutenant/EMT who has served the CFD for more than 20 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 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.

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

Dan Swift, President/Pipe Sergeant

An over 29 year veteran and Battalion Chief 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 as a 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/.

Members List

* Denotes Charter Member ' Denotes Retired CFD

" Denotes CFD Family member ~ Denotes OEMC

Pipe Corps