Lodge #148's Disaster Assistance Unit
609-501-5961
fopdau@verizon.net
Are you and your family prepared for a natural or man-made disaster? Visit noaa.gov or ready.gov to get prepared.
Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans region on August 29, 2005. The Sheriff of St. Charles Parish sent out an "SOS" asking for law enforcement assistance. Members of FOP Lodge #148 answered the call along with 200 other officers from all corners of the United States. During the first couple of days in the region, officers from Lodge #148 patrolled the streets along with local law enforcement officers.
The news media reported on the 100 or so officers that deserted their departments. What they didn't report is that 2000+ officers who didn't dessert, and who remained on the job to uphold the oath they took, lost their homes and their police stations. These officers only had the uniforms and equipment that they were wearing at the time the disaster struck. They lost everything.
In the days ahead, officers from Lodge #148 and other agencies delivered food, water, hygiene items and law enforcement equipment to the stranded officers who were still holding their ground. Some of the supplies were purchased by the New Jersey State Lodge and by Lodge #148, and other supplies were donated by Galls and Aramark.
As a result of this experience, Lodge #148 saw the need to form the Disaster Assistance Unit. This Unit has ten members who are prepared to deploy at a moments notice. The Unit is acquiring supplies and contributions for future disasters. We don't want to wait and scramble at the last minute when disaster strikes again. We want to be prepared and spring into action immediately. We are now prepared to assist law enforcement officers in disaster areas with relief supplies, emergency communications, spiritual guidance, crisis intervention, general assistance, etc.
We purchased most of the supplies and equipment that is needed. However, we are looking for some donations. If you have any of the following items and would like to donate them, either send them to the address below or contact one of the Lodge officers.
1. New or fairly good black boots (go ahead and clean out the closet - we all have 2 or 3 pair that have never been worn)
2. New or fairly good black or blue BDU pants
3. Law enforcement equipment (duty belt items, ammo, pistol and rifle magazines, handcuffs, flashlights, etc)
4. Canned goods or other non-perishable food items
5. Travel size hygiene items
6. New batteries
7. First aid and medical supplies
8. New under garments and socks for both men and women.
If there is something that you would like to donate and
it isn't listed, please contact us at 609-501-5961 or click on the mailbox to send an e-mail.
None of these items will go to waste. Don't think your donation is too large or too small. When an officer in a devastated area and has nothing, a package of underwear is like gold to them.
This is a way to "take care of our own" and you know that 100% of whatever you give is going to an officer who desperately needs it. We would like to thank you in advance for anything you donate to this worthy cause.
If you would like to make a financial donation to this Unit, you can make checks payable to FOP Lodge #148 - Disaster
Assistance Unit and send it to FOP Lodge #148, PO Box 2681, Vineland NJ 08362. A separate checking account has been
established just for these funds. Thank you to everyone who has made a donation already. Your contribution
is very much appreciated and has been put to good use. All donations will strictly be used for assisting
law enforcement officers during future disasters.
Here is a listing of people, organizations and companies who have made donations.
to Lodge
#148's Home Page
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