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Brave first responders unite for national ride day

White Knights Alan "Colonel" Ray"

Emergency Medical Services riders, called the White Knights, will head to the Victorian/NSW border in May 2016 for their second annual National Ride Day with other first responders.

White Knights belong to the “Knights Family” of riders including the Blue Knights (police), Red Knights (firefighters), and Orange Knights (State Emergency Service) who will also attend the function.

EMS White Knights consists of paramedics, ambulance officers, sporting medics, military medics, first responders and CPR-trained riders, both active and retired.

These are the brave and dedicated men and women who look after motorcyclists if or when disaster strikes and we thank them for their efforts. In fact, many of us owe our lives to them.

Spokesman Alan “Colonel” Ray says they have about 40 members nationwide, but are looking for more to join their ranks.

“EMS can also include hospital staff (doctors and nurses) and first responders / community officers and communication officers who all work in conjunction with one another to ensure a holistic approach in medical care for the patient,” he says.

White Knights Alan "Colonel" Ray" ride
Alan “Colonel” Ray”

EMS White Knights was conceived on July 3, 1998, by Jack Baker in Ontario, Canada, and in November 2014 EMS White Knights Motorcycle Club Australia was founded by Stewart Winnie and Brendan Kosmer.

“Although we are in contact with other White Knights around the world we are all separate organisations,” Alan says.

Their second Annual National Ride will be held in Mulwala on May 13-15, 2016, with riders from most parts of Australia attending.

Alan says the aim of the ride is to build camaraderie among the EMS ranks, provide mental and social support for members, present a positive image of riders to the community and bond of motorcycles.White Knights Alan "Colonel" Ray" ride

It will be a short ride of 90km because some riders will have travelled long distances to attend the event.

Membership fees $35 for one year, $60 for two, $85 for three, plus a one-off application fee of $5.

The groups ride every few weeks and more frequently in the warmer months.