The Coeur d’Alene Firefighter Pipes and Drums Band wants to honor fallen firefighters John Morrison and Frank Harwood on a national platform.   

But first, they need money.

The group is raising funds to visit the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md., in May, and the International Association of Fire Fighters Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colo., in September. 

“The city helps support the band as a function of the honor guard, but the city can’t fund to send community members to these events,” said Band quartermaster Chris Kieres. “We maintain a modest bank account that helps pay for uniforms, instruments.” 

The group needs to raise about $15,000 to cover travel expenses for several band members to attend the events and represent North Idaho firefighters. 

The family of a Timberlake Fire Protection District firefighter has already contributed $5,000. When asked why she and her family wanted to help, Stacie Ramsay’s eyes filled with tears when talking about her father.   

“There were a lot of people who didn’t come to my dad’s memorial because it was in the middle of COVID-19. During COVID, we didn’t go anywhere,” Stacie said. “Even at the funeral home, there was no touching.”    

Bill Wright was a division chief with Timberlake Fire who died Dec. 24, 2021. Wright had started as a volunteer firefighter more than two decades ago, eventually became an EMT and worked his way up to division chief.   

“These guys were there for Bill and I think we need to be there for them,” said Al Ramsay, Stacie’s husband.

His reputation was for protecting and nurturing those around him, and he could be found at the Timberlake Fire station most of the time between breakfast and bedtime, Stacie recalled.   

Wright’s grandson, Northside firefighter Tanner Wright, found out about the band’s fundraiser and told his family. 

“If my grandpa was still around, he’d be doing the same thing,” Tanner Wright said.    

Kieres remembered Bill Wright as a man who stepped up as a leader when needed. 

"He was guiding a very young department and was a de facto leader who got thrust into this position,” Kieres said.

The Pipes and Drum Band will be honoring him, as well as Morrison and Harwood, who were shot and killed in an ambush June 29 after responding to a fire on Canfield Mountain. A third firefighter was shot and seriously injured.

Pipe Major Jessica Bryant said about 150 pipers and drummers came to Coeur d’Alene for the funerals of Harwood and Morrison.   

“People were surprised at how many people traveled how far, we had members from Miami, Ohio, Canada to our memorial,” Kieres said. "There's maybe two times out of the year when you’ll see that many pipers and drummers in one place.”   

To donate: www.cdaffpd.org

    William "Bill" Wright's fire gear is carried out during the final procession at his memorial service at North Idaho College.