Desert Hills PFFA Raises Funds With Side By Side Poker Run

The Desert Hills Professional Firefighters Association hosted its second Annual Side by Side Poker Run Saturday morning, with 135 registered for the event. The winner was Brad Smith and he received $1,000. Anderson Toyota and Topock 66 were two of the major sponsors and the Side By Side Club were event volunteers.

Samantha Zasadil/RiverScene

The Desert Hills Professional Firefighters Association (DHPFFA) are a small group of dedicated firefighters who strive to protect the community they serve as well as those who visit year round.

The DHPFFA noticed a large number of off-road enthusiasts flocking to the area within the boundaries of the Desert Hills Fire District (DHFD). With off-road technology advancing as fast as any other industry, side by side manufacturers are developing vehicles that stretch beyond the limits of the Fire Districts rescue vehicle. Off road enthusiasts purchase these vehicles and travel great distances in a matter of minutes and travel roads that non-typical vehicles can travel that creates major concern for the first responders.

DHFD and DHPFFA members noticed major limitations of its equipment during an off road accident and they are being proactive to reduce those limitations to better protect the lives of enthusiasts in Lake Havasu City.

“Thanks to the participation from last year’s event, we were able to purchase a Polaris Ranger 6 seater, a rescue skid, a trailer and some equipment for off road rescue,” according to the website.

Samantha Zasadil/RiverScene

The DHPFFA is currently organizing its second event to help raise more funds for the Fire District to continue its path to bring even better service to our off road response.

Capital raised by this event will go toward Technical Rescue Equipment, fund annual TRT training and make charitable donations to First Responder charities in need. The money raised annually will also go toward maintaining all equipment to the highest standard.

This year, the event again took place north of Lake Havasu City limits. It started at Anderson Toyota, up desert trails up to Topock 66 and back to Anderson Toyota. During the event, lunch was served , raffle prizes handed out along with a wining poker hand prize.