About The Safe and Sound Squad

history | members | press | your words

Band History

The Safe & Sound Squad (SSS), whose membership consists of career firefighters and specialists serving with the Lafayette, Indiana Fire Department, formed in 2005 after spending several years collaborating to write, perform and record their debut CD titled There's Safety In Numbers, released in September of 2005.

Prior to the formation of the Safe and Sound Squad, all of the band members performed in a group called the Fire House Band. The Fire House Band has performed for elementary and pre-school aged children since 1997. To date, the band has educated over 60,000 children in fire and life safety.

On September 28, 2001 the Fire House Band, including all of the members of the Safe and Sound Squad, released a CD entitled Stop, Drop and Roll. The overwhelmingly positive response to the CD completely took the band by surprise. The additional exposure brought about by this CD release led to numerous requests for public performances. Unfortunately, the band was unable to accommodate all of these requests and this is what ultimately led to the formation of the Safe & Sound Squad.

The Safe and Sound Squad remains dedicated to educating children about fire and life safety issues through the universal language of music. The Safe and Sound Squad members have received many testimonials over the years from parents and teachers, reporting that their children and students are more "safe and sound" as a result of having attended one of the shows or having listened to Stop, Drop and Roll. These reports humble and motivate the Safe and Sound Squad to continue to seek out just "one more" child and/or family who can be helped to avoid the needless emotional and physical suffering brought on by child injuries.

"To provide fire and injury prevention programs and products that educate and entertain children."

history | members | press | your words | back to top

Band Members

Dan Duncan - ( Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Keyboard)

Dan has been employed with the city of Lafayette, Indiana since 1987, and currently serves the city as the Health and Safety Coordinator. He has served as Chairman of the Lafayette Fire Department's Safety Committee and as member of the department's Tactical Rescue Team since 1999. Dan has been performing with the band since 2000 and was instrumental in making both music CD's, Stop, Drop and Roll and There's Safety In Numbers, a reality.

Pat Grimes - (Rhythm Guitar, Background Vocals and Percussion)

Pat began his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Sheffield, Indiana Fire Department in 1991. Pat became a career firefighter with the Lafayette Fire Department in 1996, and currently serves as a Fire Inspector/Public Educator. He continues to serve as a volunteer firefighter with the West Point Fire Department as Assistant Chief of Training. Pat has been with the band since 1999.

Joe Grimes - ( Drums/Percussion, Background Vocals )

Joe

Cathy - (Vocals)

Cathy

Ron Ritchey - (Bass Guitar)

Ron began his career as a firefighter with the Lafayette Fire Department in 1992, and currently serves as Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention/Public Education. Ron has been performing with the band since 1999.

Gary Higgins - (Keyboards)

Gary

history | members | press | your words | back to top

Press

From the Lafayette, Indiana Journal and Courier

Fire program shows what not to do
By Erin Smith

Mike and Mini Match admitted to doing some "bad stuff" last year during the Fire Prevention Show at Jefferson High School. On Friday, they promised to do better. But that didn't stop the pair from demonstrating the wrong thing to do if one's clothes catch on fire. The actors ran all over Earhart Elementary's gym, waving their hands in the air.

Photo By Michael Heinz/Journal and Courier

"If your clothes catch on fire, you never want to run," Lafayette fire inspector Randy Keen told the kindergartners and first- and second-grade students. "If your clothes catch on fire, what are you supposed to do, boys and girls?"

"Stop, drop and roll," the students shouted.

That answer illustrates the impact the fire safety show and Lafayette's Safe and Sound Squad band, formerly known as the Fire House Band, have had on students, assistant chief Ron Ritchey said.

On Friday, he and other members of the Lafayette Fire Department visited Earhart, Miller and Vinton elementary schools to deliver to teachers the band's newest CD, "There's Safety in Numbers."

The special presentation included several songs from the new album, a visit from Sparky the Fire Dog and a preview of the upcoming Fire Prevention Show, which begins Oct. 10.

Earhart students sang along to fire safety songs and giggled as Sparky swiveled his hips in time to the music. Second-grader Tristen Allen, 7, remembers last year's fire safety show well.

"It was fun," he said, nodding when asked if the songs played Friday were familiar to him.

With help from a grant obtained by the Historic Five Points Educational Center, the firefighters gave a free music CD to each Tippecanoe County public school kindergarten through second grade teacher. Songs include "Two Ways Out," "Smoke Detector Song" and "911."

"It's just great that these kids know they can call and get help that way," said Rich Groeber, with the fire museum. "I know these fellows would rather go out to a call and not find anything than be a half hour late."

Researchers from Purdue University plan to administer a test to students before and after the show to determine their knowledge of fire safety. Ritchey hopes the tests will point out areas of weakness so the firefighters can improve their safety program.

"We know it's effective. ... We haven't had a child fatality (in a fire) in recent memory," he said. "We don't want to bring that into our community."

history | members | press | your words | back to top

Your Words

Here is where you'll find what everyday people have to say about the Safe and Sound Squad, their music and their performances. If you have a testimonial to add to the Safe and Sound Squad's collection, please use the contact form.

Perhaps a Safe and Sound Squad's performance helped you or your children become more aware of fire safety issues. If so please let us know.

"My family and I saw you & watched you play at the Indiana State Fair. Two weeks later my 4 year old son, out of no where, starts singing "9-1-1". He even used the hand and finger motions. Just wanted to let you know your music sticks".
Thanks Joe Johnson
IMPD Chaplain