The former Centerville Fire Department Pipes and Drums band has cut its ties to the city and adopted the name Heart of Georgia Pipe and Drums, pipe major Shirley Blunk said Thursday in a written statement.
The band's Web site describes it as being based in Warner Robins.
"Due to issues of liability in its association with the city of Centerville, the band has chosen a new direction," Blunk wrote in her statement.
The band had represented the city for nine years, performing at funerals of public safety officers. It also played at a variety of other area events.
In an interview, Blunk said the decision to break ties with the city came down to an impasse over liability.
In a contract to allow the group to use a city van, city officials wanted the band's individual members to be held solely liable for any damages in an accident not covered by the insurance policy on the van, Blunk said.
"The band is all volunteers, we couldn't do that," she said.
The fire department and the city began to distance itself from the band last fall.
In September, Councilman Robert Smith pointed out that no fire department personnel were involved in the band and recommended ending the city's relationship with the group.
Mayor Ronnie Brand said the group had broad support in the community, and the council and members reached a compromise on renaming the group Centerville Pipe and Drums.
However, when the liability issue came up, band members decided to break with the city, Blunk said.
Smith declined to comment Thursday.
Retired Centerville fire chief Frank Wadsworth said Friday he was saddened to see the affiliation he helped foster between the city and the band end.
"I'm disappointed they chose to go this route," retired Centerville Fire Department Chief Frank Wadsworth said. "There were a lot of things that happened on both sides that I didn't like."
