Four Grand Rapids firefighters were promoted Monday, Jan. 14 with a pinning ceremony at the start of the Grand Rapids City Council’s first meeting of the new year. As Fire Chief Travis Cole explained, a slate of new officers were appointed last month due to recent retirements of past Fire Chief Mike Leibel and First Assistant Chief Bryan Zuehlke. Chief Cole led the pinning ceremony and gave some history on the tradition.
According to Cole, badge pinning is a proud tradition within fire departments, signifying the introduction of department members to their new duties. Monday’s ceremony was also an opportunity to introduce new officers to city officials and the community.
“In the early days of American fire departments, orders were given to the firefighters, by officers speaking through a device that resembled a megaphone,” said Cole. “These were very ornate brass horns. They were commonly called bugles or speaking trumpets.”
As Cole explained, these bugles were worn around the officers’ necks so they could direct firefighting operations and therefore easily identified officers.
“The bugle is unique to the fire service, it is a tradition,” added Cole.