Unofficial fire, police department bands compete in Battle of the Badges fundraiser

Fred Martinez’s 5150 is the unofficial band of the Fresno Fire Department. The classic rock cover band has been playing, in some form, for going on 35 years and features a core group of fire fighters. Firefighter Martinez retired last June.

The band’s counterpart in the Fresno Police Department is Lady and the Tramps. The eight-piece rock group features two retired FPD officers, two active officers and a guy they once arrested: “We found out he was a good bass player,” says Bob Lincoln, who plays guitar in the rock and roll and top 40 cover band. He’s joking.

The two bands play Saturday, June 13, in Battle of the Badges fundraiser, which also features a police vs. fire department barbecue battle. The event benefits the Fresno Police Department Chaplaincy and the Pete Dern Medical Fund. Dern fell through the garage roof while battling a fire in March.

Martinez hopes the Battle of the Badges will expand and become an annual event. He hears the Sheriff’s department has a band, too.

This story was originally published June 10, 2015 at 7:04 AM with the headline "Unofficial fire, police department bands compete in Battle of the Badges fundraiser."