Fourth Annual IAFF-MG National Rally Welcomes All

April 5, 2010 – IAFF Motorcycle Group (IAFF-MG) members and members of other fire fighter motorcycle groups are invited to fly their colors at the 4th Annual IAFF-MG National Rally to be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas, June 3-6, 2010.

“When the IAFF-MG formed, we recognized right away that many IAFF member fire fighters were already members of other national or local fire fighter motorcycle groups,” says IAFF-MG National Coordinator Michael Crouse. “That’s why we wanted to allow fire fighters to have dual memberships and a patch to display their IAFF-MG membership on their other club’s vest.”

IAFF-MG Committee Chairman and IAFF 7th District Vice President Ricky Walsh is also a member of the Spokane, Washington Chapter of the Renegade Pigs and has always flown the colors for both groups.

Walsh says, “As with other fire fighter motorcycle groups, the camaraderie among the IAFF-MG members is great, and we do what we can to make fire fighters who are also members of other groups feel welcome. I hope we’ll see some of them at the National Rally.”

The IAFF-MG’s 2009 National Rally was its most successful to date, with more than 800 bikers from across the United States and Canada participating, as well as IAFF and IAFF-MG members from other national biker clubs, including Wind & Fire, the Renegade Pigs, The Ax Men and The Red Nights.

In addition, IAFF and IAFF-MG members belong to local motorcycle clubs, such as the San Antonio Fire Fighters, Portland, ME Firefighters club, Boston FD Bike Club, Riders of Fire and the FDNY Fire Riders. As part of the IAFF-MG’s 2009 National Rally, the IAFF-MG teamed up with the Local Chapter of Wind & Fire to coordinate one of their days while in Colorado Springs. The IAFF-MG 2009 Rally, the Ride to Remember and the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Service were well attended and well received by all.

IAFF-MG committee member Karl Kuss is a member of the IAFF Motorcycle Group as well as a member of the Axemen M/C in metro Detroit. "When we established a constitution and by-laws for the Axemen, it didn't allow for participation in another motorcycle club,” says Kuss.

Kuss adds, “However, it does allow for members to be a part of their local H.O.G. or a motorcycle group, such as the IAFF-MG.” Members may still fly their colors and wear a smaller version of the IAFF-MG patch on the front of their vest.

During this year’s rally, riders will wind through the Ozark Mountains. Participants coming from the south should take Highway 540 to Fayetteville. The 38-mile ride has no billboards, 63 bridges and lots of great scenery.

Riders may also want to take Scenic Byway 71 from Alma to Fayetteville. Participants will get a close-up view of the Ozarks. The road overlooks many creeks and cliffs. To join the IAFF-MG or register for the IAFF-MG 4th National Rally in June, click here.

Fire fighters who can’t make the National Rally can consider participating in one of the nearly 40 district-based rides that take place throughout the year. Click here for more information.

The IAFF Motorcycle Group (IAFF-MG), created through a resolution at the 2004 IAFF Convention, is designed to bring together active, retired and alumni members and members of recognized affiliates from across the International and to promote fraternalism among the IAFF’s ranks. The IAFF-MG is open to IAFF members who own and ride motorcycles.