Firefighters ride for a worthy cause

By Phyllis Lehrer
Staff Writer

Published on July 25, 2008

Bikers, start your engines. It's time for the second annual Western Massachusetts Poker Ride that will be held Aug. 23 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

David Dion, ride organizer, will be on his 2004 Harley Davidson XL 1200 custom motorcycle. Dion, an Amherst firefighter and member of the Local 1764, said MDA is the firefighter union's charity and has been for more than 50 years. Firefighters support MDA not only on the local level but the national and international level as well, he said.

Last year, 66 riders and 30 passengers participated raising more than $2,600, he said. This year's goal is to raise $8,000. "If we reach $10,000 it would be fabulous," he said.

Motorcycles are a common vehicle in the Fire Department with five bikers in his team and a total of 15 in the 44-member department. The international union has a motorcycle group and there is a Red Knights of Massachusetts motorcycle club and one in Connecticut.

He said he likes to cruise on his motorcycle to enjoy the scenery. It's also practical. Dion, who lives in Sunderland, said he use his motorcycle as well as a pedal bike to commute to the Central or North Fire Stations. While the tank only holds three gallons, he can ride for 140 miles before it needs a refill.

Dion has some skills in organizing the ride. He has participated in other charity motorcycle events, such as Molly's Ride. Last year he and firefighter Larry Tebo attended an MDA bootcamp in Marlborough, and he went again this year. The name is apt since participants learn how to conduct boot drives, that is asking for donations via a firefighter's boot. However, he said tries to avoid conducting boot drives since other public safety groups do them. Information about conducting other fundraisers, such as golf tournament is offered at the camp.

Dion, who served a nine-month stint in Bosnia on loan from the National Guard to the U.S. Army, explained the Poker Ride. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the University of Massachusetts Alumni Stadium. The last bike leaves at 11 a.m. Here's the poker part. When registering, a biker reaches into a paper bag and pulls out a playing card. The rider gets a stamp to record that card. That happens at each stop to complete the hand. Prizes will be awarded for the best hand and the worst hand. In addition, there is a guess-the-mileage contest. A raffle will also be held.

Registration is $25 per bike and $10 for each additional rider. The fee includes a T-shirt and a cookout that follows the ride at the Hadley Young Men's Club. The Swift Kicks Band will entertain at the meal.

Southampton Harley Davidson is a major sponsor of the ride, he said. Other sponsors include the Amherst Brewery, the Lord Jeffery Inn and Atkins Farms Country Market.

For those who don't ride but would like to make a contribution to MDA, they can do so by visiting the Web site www.amherstfirefighters.org.

Dion, a paramedic, has been a firefighter for 15 years. He joined the Amherst Fire Department in February 2000. Previously he was a firefighter-paramedic with the Easthampton Fire Department. He also worked in the Bourne Fire Department.

He and Amherst firefighter David Clooney were cited for bravery and heroism in 2001 by acting Gov. Jane Swift at a "Firefighter of the Year" award ceremony.

Dion and Clooney were returning home from training at the Massachusetts Fire Academy in Stow in October, 2000. While going through the town of Hudson they saw smoke, reached the burning building before Hudson firefighters arrived and went to residences on either side of it to ensure everyone was out. Though off duty and without their protective gear, Dion and Clooney helped Hudson firefighters attach hoses to hydrants and lay hose lines, according to a story in the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

Dion attended the Massachusetts Fire Academy in Stow, where he was elected president of the class. He has an associate degree in fire science from Greenfield Community College and is working on an undergraduate degree in fire science from Anna Maria College.