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.
As a reminder, Its time to renew your IAFFMG Membership for 2009... IAFF-MG members can now renew your membership on-line or by calling Amy Sears at [202] 737-8484 to renew over the phone.
Also you can now access and review your IAFF/IAFF-MG membership information and status online, including past billing history. Log in to the IAFF web site and click on the "Members Only" or "Officers Only" link as appropriate above the search box. From there, select "View/Edit" to see your individual record. Here, you can make any changes or updates to your contact information. When you are logged in to the "Members Only" or "Officer Only" section, you will see the IAFF-MG logo in the upper right-hand corner. Hover over the logo with your mouse to see your IAFF-MG member number. The IAFF-MG logo will not appear if you are not a member or your application has not been processed. For more information or questions, contact your IAFF-MG District Coordinator or IAFF-MG National Coordinator Michael J. Crouse.
IAFF Motorcycle Group to Hold its 3rd National Rally
IAFF-MG Members ride to Colorado Springs to participate in IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Service
"Always Remember and Never Forget Ride"
June 2009: The 3rd Annual IAFF-MG National Rally “Always Remember ~ Never Forget Ride will be held in the beautiful Pikes Peak Region of Colorado Springs, Colorado in conjunction with the IAFF’s Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial, September 16th – 20th, 2009. Colorado Springs is located just east of the geographic center of the state and 61 miles south of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. At 6,035 feet Colorado Springs sits over one mile above sea level, though some areas of the city are significantly higher. The city is situated near the base of one of the most famous American mountains, Pikes Peak, at the eastern edge of the southern Rocky Mountains. Colorado Springs was selected as the No. 1 Best Big City in "Best Places to Live" by Money magazine in 2006.
For motorcycle riders, exploring Colorado (CO) motorcycle roads is the ultimate motorcycle touring dream and perhaps the top most coveted motorcyclist destination in America. Many of America's most breathtaking stretches of the Rocky Mountains are found within this abundantly blessed state. Also, Colorado completely rolls out the red carpet for visitors and so riders will find a large array of amenities to take in when it's time to pull over and get off the bike. Some of the favorite motorcycle ride destinations are Durango, Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspen, Silverton and the Pikes Peak Region. The Pikes Peak region is the gateway to Southern Colorado and includes Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Old Colorado City, Cañon City, Cripple Creek, Woodland Park, Tri-Lakes/Monument, Victor and Green Mountain Falls. The region is classified as an "alpine desert" and has a moderate, dry climate and over 300 days of sunshine annually [Weather]. There is something for everyone! Colorado Springs is the perfect place to relax, re-energize and RIDE.
Important Note: IAFF-MG members and riders will be required to register and sign a waiver to participate in the IAFF-MG’s 3rd National Rally and the Ride to Remember during the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Motorcycle Procession. Links to both registration and waiver forms are below:
IAFF-MG 2nd National Rally ~ Schedule of Events/Activities
Wednesday, September 16, 2009: Riders arrive in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The IAFF-MG will be headquartered at the Marriott Colorado Springs Hotel, 5580 Tech Center Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919, for rider registration, ride information, group/day ride routes, IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial and motorcycle procession information and other assistance. In addition, the IAFF Online store will offer IAFF and IAFF-MG merchandise at the rally.
Welcome Reception ~ Marriott Colorado Springs Hotel from 6:00 to 9:00
Thursday, September 17, 2009: IAFF-MG Group Ride: Join IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, IAFF-MG Committee members, district/state coordinators and the leadership and membership from IAFF Local 5 for the IAFF-MG 3rd National Group Ride. You will enjoy spectacular scenery and great riding with a great group of riders.
We will start the day with a jaunt down to Pueblo, Colorado to stop in at Outpost Harley Davidson for any Colorado souvenirs that you would like as well as some special discounts for the “have to have item” that you may want. Following our dealership stop, we will head for the hills on a scenic ride through some beautiful country as we go to Cripple Creek, Colorado. This gold rush boom town has more than a few things to do and we will be hosted by the newest facility in town, the Wildwood Casino. They will put on lunch for us and then, put on your poker face and let the games begin. There are also gold mine tours, train rides, historic mining museums and more. We will stage different departure times retuning to Colorado Springs to accommodate as many riders as possible for the return ride back. Or if you would like, you can spend the night at a special rate [See hotel information below] just for us and catch up to the group the next morning for our ride on the 18th.
Cripple Creek Hotel information is as follows:
Gold King Mountain Inn
601 E Galena Ave
Cripple Creek, CO 80816
(719) 689-2600
Reference the IAFF Motorcycle Ride
Thursday Rate: $49.95
Friday/Saturday Rate: 69.95
Updated ride route and other related information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
Friday, September 18, 2009: IAFF-MG Breakfast ~ Day Ride: IAFF Local 5 will be hosting a day ride for any and all IAFF/IAFF-MG Riders that would like to join them for a day of breath taking scenery and some GREAT motorcycle riding.
Our ride will be the “Biker In Us” event as we tour and play the biker way. We start out in Colorado Springs and head west. We will take a route through the Hayman Fire burn area which is recorded as being the largest fire in Colorado history. The transition is amazing between where the fire went, what it encompassed and what it let stand. There are some great “twisties” to go along with the scenic ride so it should be good for all. We will stop in Fairplay, Colorado for a “Biker Rodeo” where you can show your scooter skills and win some cash/prizes. We will be joined by Wind & Fire Motorcycle Club, Rocky Mountain Chapter at our lunch spot. Following lunch there will be a collective ride home to start the weekend for the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial.
Your district and/or state coordinators will be the on-site point of contact for participating in the day ride. The finalized ride route and other related information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
IAFF-MG Rally Closing Ceremony: IAFF and IAFF-MG riders will gather at Cowboys Country Western Bar and Grill located at 25 North Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Professional Fire Fighters of Colorado and Financial Innovations will be hosting a reception from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for all IAFF and IAFF-MG riders and their guests. While at Cowboys District Vice-President and IAFF-MG Chairman Ricky Walsh will close the IAFF-MG 3rd National Rally and District Flags will be returned to the respective coordinators.
Saturday, September 19, 2009:IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Motorcycle and Apparatus Procession “Ride to Remember”: The motorcycle/fire apparatus procession will take place in two sections. The first section is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Wind & Fire Motorcycle Club and is known as “The Ride To Remember”. Motorcyclists and fire department apparatus will leave the Colorado Fallen Fire Fighter Monument in Lakewood, Colorado on Saturday at 8:00 am. “The Ride To Remember” will proceed to the staging area located at The Promenade Shops at Briargate in Colorado Springs.
The second section of the procession is sponsored by the IAFF and Colorado Springs Local 5 and is known as “The Ride Of Honor”. It will depart at 12:00 noon from The Promenade Shops at Briargate and proceed to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial signifying the commencement of the ceremony. Additional Information on the procession and fire department apparatus registration can be obtained by visiting www.iafflocal5.com.
All motorcycle riders and passengers participating in any portion of the day's rides must pre-register for insurance purposes. Registration can be completed by visiting www.ridetoremember.org. All fire fighter motorcyclists and fire departments are encouraged to participate in both sections of the procession! Sorry, the procession is not open to the public. Invitation letters and registration instructions will be emailed/mailed to Colorado fire departments.
*Any fire fighter motorcyclists/fire departments in the Southern Colorado area who plan to participate in “The Ride To Remember” are encouraged to gather at Colorado Springs Fire Station 19 located at 2490 Research Parkway. The group will meet at 5:00 am and depart for Lakewood by 5:15 am.
Sunday, September 20, 2009: Riders depart Colorado Springs.
Hotel Information: The IAFF-MG will be using "The Colorado Springs Marriott" as the Rally HQ hotel and event location. We have secured a block of rooms for IAFF and IAFFMG members at a rate of $99.00 per night. This Colorado Springs hotel nestled in the foothills of Pikes Peak offers guests a breath of fresh air and spectacular mountain vistas. To make your hotel reservations on-line [click here] or call 800-932-2151.The cut-off date for IAFF-MG Rally Hotel Reservations at the Colorado Springs Marriott is July 31st, 2009.
We have also secured a block of overflow hotel rooms at the Hyatt Summerfield Suites in Colorado Springs. We have also secured a $99.00 room rate for IAFF and IAFF-MG members. You can make your reservations on-line [click here] or by calling [719] 268-9990. The cut-off date for IAFF-MG Rally Hotel Reservations at he Hyatt Summerfield Suites is July 31st, 2009.
Ride Safe and Legal ~ Know the Helmet Laws ~ Read and Heed: For helmet laws in the United States, visit American Motorcyclist list of state helmet laws. For helmet laws in Canada, click here.
April 1, 2009 –The America’s 9/11 Foundation will hold its 9th motorcycle ride in honor of those lost on September 11, 2001, from August 20-22, 2009. The ride also raises money for the foundation’s college scholarship program benefiting the children of active and disabled first responders.
Riders will visit each of the three crash sites beginning with Shanksville, Pennsylvania, followed by the Pentagon and the former site of the World Trade Center towers.
Bridgeport, CT Local 834 fire fighter Paul Neugebauer helped organize this year’s ride after participating last year. “We had about 1,000 riders last year,” says Neugebauer. “The challenge I have set for myself is to increase the number of riders, making this year’s event bigger.”
Neugebauer also hopes to raise more money for the scholarship program by raffling a 2009 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic. The winner will be announced in New York on August 22. To purchase a $10 ticket, call Neugebauer at (203) 913-6342.
After the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, a large group of motorcyclists organized a ride in November 2001 from the White House to Ground Zero in New York. Upon arrival in New York, they placed 1,000 roses at Ground Zero. Since then, the effort to remember the 9/11 first responders and all first responders has increased with each year.
The America’s 9/11 Foundation holds a ride annually to honor first responders, raise money for a college scholarship program benefiting the children of active and disabled first responders and help various emergency service organizations with funding or equipment purchases.
April 9, 2009: The IAFF-MG is now offering free e-mail accounts [addresses] to all IAFF-MG Active and Associate members. If you want to have an IAFF-MG e-mail account setup, please e-mail MIchael Crouse, IAFF-MG National Coordinator. Once an e-mail account is setup you will be able to use it as your primary account or just forward it to your personal e-mail account.
As your e-mail accounts are set-up, you will be provided with an your IAFF-MG e-mail address along with access information. You will also be able to access your IAFF-MG e-mail account from the IAFF-MG website.
The IAFF-MG Committee is attempting to take full advantage of today's technology and is fully committed to providing accruate and timely information about the IAFF-MG and our events and rides to our members using electronic means. So if you would like to take advantage of this offer, just contact Michael Crouse.
As you know, the IAFF-MG utilizes this site to provide update information to IAFF and IAFF-MG members as it relates to our Motorcycle Group. In addition, we have started using E-Mail Informational Updates to get out get IAFF-MG related information out in a timely manner. There has been a a lot of positive feed back from the members who have received our e-mails. However, our members can only recieve this information if we have their accruate and updated contact information.
Over the last 2 weeks, IAFF-MG 1st Class Mail has been returned because of bad addresses and from opur last two [2] Informational E-mails that were sent out, over 230 have been returned as bad e-mail addresses. At this point, I am requesting that all IAFF-MG members take the time to access your IAFF membership record and either provide the necessary contact information or update the contact information that is currently on file... We need your help, by providing updating your contact information, this will allow us to maintain an up-to-data membership database while at the same time, ensure that you the IAFF-MG member is getting accruate and timly information about the IAFF-MG and our sponsored and/or supported events and rides..
You can access and review your IAFF/IAFF-MG membership information and status online, including past billing history. Log in to the IAFF web site and click on the "Members Only" or "Officers Only" link as appropriate above the search box. From there, select "View/Edit" to see your individual record. Here, you can make any changes or updates to your contact information. When you are logged in to the "Members Only" or "Officer Only" section, you will see the IAFF-MG logo in the upper right-hand corner. Hover over the logo with your mouse to see your IAFF-MG member number. The IAFF-MG logo will not appear if you are not a member or your application has not been processed. For more information or questions, contact your IAFF-MG District Coordinator or IAFF-MG National Coordinator Michael J. Crouse.
IAFFMG3rdrally.pdf
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