Emerald Society????

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I was thinking it would be nice for there to be a Firefighting Society that is associated with Irish AND Scottish. The other Scottish Firefighters and I would like to hang out with each other and share this common bond and interest.

I'd suggest that you contact:

The Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service
Lauriston Place
Edinburgh, EH3 9DE
email: enquiries@lbfire.org.uk

or the Museum of Fire (same address)
email: csq@lbfire.org.uk

and see if you can't "twin" with them.

After all, Edinburgh formed the first municipal fire brigade in Europe and that's definitely Scottish!

As far as "Emerald Societies" go, when I was in law enforcement I found them to way over the top in pushing an "Irish only" agenda. Maybe things have changed but, from what I gather you are saying, that doesn't appear to be the case.

Anyhow, good luck with Edinburgh!

Scott

[auld argonian]

That is a strange thing. There is an Emerald Society of the Chicago Police Department:

http://www.copsinkilts.com/

...if you explore the website, you'll find a roster of the band. Bear in mind that in these parts everybody has some kind of Irish connection but I don't know if they make it a prerequisite that you have Irish ties for membership...

The Chicago Fire Department has its own pipe band though I can't find a direct web link to a page about them.

One can only assume that the Emerald Societies began as rather, you should excuse the expression, clannish groups but one would think that there would be no need for that these days and that they'd be a little more all inclusive.

Best

AA

"I'd never want to belong to a club that would have me as a member." - Groucho Marx

[jbaker42j]

Thanks Scott. Always a help as usual. I really enjoyed reserching the Scottish Fire Brigades. I will have to contact them soon. I feel ya about the "Irish Only" agenda, I dont understand why it couldnt be both.

Also checked out the Chicago page, AA. I'm familar with alot of these Emerald Societys like this. The D.C, Indianapolis, and FDNY FF Emeralds are pretty cool as well. If you talk to those guys, alot of em have Scottish decent as well. One of my brother FF's is trying to teach me the pipes and well just have to start up our own.