Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD) Captain Bruce Bickley, one of the local firefighters that the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 124 sent to Charleston, SC, to attend the Memorial Service for the nine firefighters who died battling a fire there, Monday night, June 18, has taken an  active role in the funerals.  Bickley, a member of the FWFD Pipe & Drum Corps, has played or will play his bagpipes for all eight of firefighter's funerals who will be buried in South Carolina.

Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas called the Fort Wayne Fire Department to express his appreciation and the appreciation of his department for Bickley's willingness to assist these families and fellow firefighters with his actions.

Bickley, who traveled to Charleston on his own, has spent time learning about the firefighters who died in the line of duty.  He has been staying with the firefighters at Station 10 and riding along on Truck 5, the apparatus that some of the fallen firefighters rode.  He is playing in a service at the time of this release and will play for one more funeral tomorrow, Monday, June 25.