About Us

During the summer of 1982, several firefighters were visiting “Randy’s Cycle Shop” in Boylston, Massachusetts and the subject of motorcycle clubs came up. Soon they were all grousing about the fact that law enforcement people had a motorcycle club known as the Blue Knights but there was no club for firefighters. After this tire-kicking session, owner Randy Wilson suggested to Ed Wright, a firefighter from Northboro, MA, that he stop talking about the lack of a club and form one instead.

Recognizing a good idea when he heard one, Ed Wright went home that afternoon and made some hand-printed posters inviting firefighters from the area to meet and determine if there was enough interest to form a motorcycle club. On August 17th, 1982, Fire Chief Jack Pierce allowed a small group of motorcycle enthusiasts to meet in Northboro Fire Headquarters to lay the groundwork for the formation of a motorcycle club.

On October 19th, 1982, firefighters Colin Mackey, Bob Bourassa, Ed Wright, Roger Wentzell, Dave Hamilton, Bob Goulet, David Hunt, Jon Tripp, Don Parker, Norm Beausoleil, and Chief Pierce met again. There was interest in promoting the positive image of motorcycling while enjoying the camaraderie of other firefighters. It was decided then that this group would be known as the Red Knights Motorcycle Club.

News of this new club spread like a grass fire. In July of 1983, a chapter was formed in Connecticut. In October of that year, a second Massachusetts chapter was formed. Soon applications came in from such distant places as Nevada and Louisiana. In August of 1983, the founding members realized the organization was rapidly growing beyond its original expectations. To properly handle this growth they elected a committee to serve as a National Board of Directors. With applications from Ontario and Saskatchewan, Canada, the club became the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club.

As a result of the seed that was planted at Randy’s in 1982, there are now more than 300 Red Knights chapters and 9,000 members throughout the world, Check out our chapter locations page for the various chapter locations. 

In 1984 the club's first convention was held in Boylston, MA since then conventions have been held annually in various locations and have been organized for all Red Knights to attend.  All Red Knight members are encouraged to attend.

Convention sites have been:

Year	City of Convention	State/Country	Additional Notes
1984	Boylston	Massachusetts
1985	Boylston	Massachusetts
1986	Cromwell	Connecticut
1987	Boylston	Massachusetts
1988	Toronto	Ontario
1989	Mentor	Ohio
1990	Waterville Valley	New Hampshire
1991	Leamington	Ontario
1992	Worcester	Massachusetts
1993	Angola	Indiana
1994	Belleville	Ontario
1995	Dublin	Ohio
1996	Leamington	Ontario
1997	Marlborough	Massachusetts
1998	New York City	New York
1999	Daytona Beach	Florida
2000	Indianapolis	Indiana
2001	Winnipeg	Manitoba
2002	Warwick	Rhode Island
2003	Laval	Quebec
2004	Edmonton	Alberta
2005	Toronto	Ontario
2006	New York City	New York
2007	Worcester	Massachusetts
2008	Sandusky	Ohio
2009	Ft. Lauderdale	Florida
2010	Niagra Falls	New York
2011	Ocean City	Maryland
2012	Gettysburg	Pennsylvania
2013	Rutland	Vermont
2014	Prince Edward Island	Canada
2015	San Antonio	Texas
2016	Wisconsin Dells	Wisconsin
2017	Syracuse	New York
2018	Pittsburgh	Pennsylvania
2019	Loon	New Hampshire
2020	Laon	France	(canceled due to pandemic)
2021	Saint John	New Brunswick	(canceled due to pandemic)
2022	Johnstown	Pennsylvania
2023	Fussach	Austria

List Of Past Executive and Board Members of the Red Knights Firefighters International Motorcycle Club Inc.

History of Executives, Committee Chairs, and Members