The Bridgewater Fire Department Band is Canada’s only volunteer fire service band and one of the oldest continuing bands in the country.

In 1868, the Dominion of Canada established many local militia units.  As it was unthinkable for a regiment not to have its own band, these, too, were quickly formed.  Through family ties and business connections, the recently-formed Bridgewater Brass Band became the regimental band of the 68th Kings County Infantry, frequently travelling between its Lunenburg County home, Kings County’s Camp Aldershot.

In 1912 many of these militia units were disbanded.  By this time the Bridgewater Brass Band also included woodwind instruments; to reflect the changes in instrumentation as well as its new civilian status, it became the Bridgewater Citizens’ Band.  At that time the band had no permanent home, and lacked professional leadership, and by the early 1950s was in danger of folding.  In 1952, the band came under the auspices of the Bridgewater Fire Department.

Since then, the band has performed around the province, nationally, and internationally, playing concerts and in parades, providing music for private functions and public events both small and large.  The thirty-five members of the band come from all walks of life, s, and represent a diversity of playing experience. 

The following are some of the highlights of the Band’s performances over the past ten years:

2008-05-23  “Red Rally” with Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic in support of Canadian Troops, Bridgewater2009-08-01  Tribute to Canadian veterans before George Canyon concert, Bridgewater2010-08  Hosted the Band of the West Yorkshire (UK) Fire & Rescue Service on its first Canadian tour2011-08-05 & 06  RCMP Musical Ride, Bridgewater2011-08  Travelled to England; played two concerts in Bradford and one in York2011-10-14  Provided musical support for Portraits of Honour visit to Bridgewater2012-09-30  Played for the re-launch of Bluenose II2012-11-11  Two members played in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, Belgium2013-06-19  Performed at Lieutenant Governor’s garden party, Halifax2013-07  Granted Vice-Regal Patronage by The Hon. BGen (ret’d) J.J. Grant, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia2013-08  Hosted the Band of the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service on their second Canadian tour2013-08-07  Sunset Ceremony at CFB Greenwood with Stadacona Band of the RCN, RCMP H Division Pipes & Drums, RCAF 14 Wing Bands2014-06-18  Lieutenant Governor’s Garden party, Halifax 2014-08-20  Sunset Ceremony, CFB Greenwood with Stadacona Band of the RCN, RCMP H Division Pipes & Drums, RCAF 14 Wing Bands2014-09-13 & 14  Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation Ceremony, Ottawa2014-11-11  BFDB Drum Major, Sgt Jana Hirtle, was requested to play in Remembrance Day observances in England and Belgium with the WYFRS Band2015-09  Four members of BFDB were requested to support WYFRS Band at International Music Festival in Izegem, Belgium2016-01-17 & 23 Played for opening and closing ceremonies, World Sledge Hockey Challenge, Bridgewater NS2016-06-15  Lieutenant Governor’s Garden party, Halifax2016-11-08  Performed with the Men of the Deeps on their 50th anniversary tour, Bridgewater, NS2018-04-29  BFDB 150th Anniversary concert, Lunenburg, NS, with 14 Wing Band

The primary purpose of the Bridgewater Fire Department Band is to provide quality musical support for the Canadian Fire Service locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally.  As a uniformed part of the fire service, the band fosters morale within the service and acts as a public relations vehicle, connecting with the general public through formal concerts (both paid and gratis), parades (both civilian and military), and other musical events.  The Band also provides musical support upon request to the Royal Canadian Legion, the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, and to various components of the Canadian Armed Forces Music Branch, as well as to other governmental and private organisations and individuals.

In fulfilment of this primary mandate, the Band provides professional quality instruments; various orders of uniform; instruction in performance and musical theory to new members; opportunities to perform in a number of smaller ensembles; opportunities for members to receive instruction in programming and conducting musical programmes; and has on occasion commissioned works by Canadian composers such as Peter VanderHorden, Roger Taylor and Lucas Oickle.  In addition to these musical obligations and opportunities, members of the Band are offered instruction at no personal expense in first aid and basic firefighting skills so as to represent the Canadian Fire Service in a more fully authentic way.

There is no requirement for members of the BFD Band to be active firefighters and the Band enjoys the participation of individuals from a wide diversity of backgrounds and musical experience, and presently draws its membership from six counties in southwestern Nova Scotia.