B.C. anti-gang unit concerned about firefighter bikers

Vancouver club Florian’s Knights has been seen at events with Hells Angels

VANCOUVER B.C.’s anti-gang agency says a new Metro Vancouver firefighters biker club with links to the Hells Angels raises serious issues.

Sgt. Brenda Winpenny, of the combined forces special enforcement unit, said Tuesday that the decision by some firefighters to form the Florian’s Knights and associate with the notorious biker gang puts them and other first responders at risk.

“The Hells Angels have a longtime involvement in both illegal marijuana grow operations and synthetic drug clandestine labs. This is troubling as well, given the dangers they pose to first responders, and firefighters in particular,” Winpenny said.

“The decision by a small group of firefighters to support a criminal organization involved in activities that endanger their brother and sister firefighters is concerning. By associating with the Hells Angels and other outlaw motorcycle gangs, they are potentially putting themselves and others at risk.”

Winpenny said CFSEU officers have spoken to some in the Knights to express the concerns of law enforcement.

Postmedia revealed Tuesday that some local firefighters had formed Florian’s Knights and attended charity rides and other events with the Hells Angels.

Knights founder Nick Elmes also posed for a photo with three Hells Angels.

Elmes defended his organization, saying they formed to do charity work and can’t help it if the Hells Angels attend some of the same public events.

But he admitted that he advised the Angels when he was forming his club and let them know the Knights would be adopting a threepiece patch for their leather vest — something police say can only be done with HA permission.

Winpenny said the events are not open to the public, as Elmes claimed.

“Both presence and participation at these events, whether it’s funerals, OMG-sanctioned rides, or other rides, are often the result of an invitation and represent support for the Hells Angels,” she said.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said he has asked his staff to look into the issues raised by having public servants associating with a group the government considers a criminal organization.

Hells Angels expert Brad Stephen, a retired Vancouver police officer and one-time firefighter, said firefighters are held in high regard and that the Knights are damaging that reputation.

“There is a high degree of public trust and public respect that is bestowed upon your position as a firefighter in the community. You are required to respond to rescues, respond to medical emergencies in the middle of the night. You go into people’s homes. You go into people’s businesses. You are often required to go into secure facilities and you are exposed to confidential scenarios and confidential information,” Stephen said. “You work hand in hand with police agencies …. all of sudden now there is a group of firefighters who have decided to form the Florian’s Knights and to ingratiate themselves with the Hells Angels.”