Washington, DC - Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), announced today that the FOP deployed its Disaster Area Response Team (DART) to Lake Charles, Louisiana to assist their brother and sister officers, allowing local officers to focus on recovery efforts in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricane Laura.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the devastation that Hurricane Laura has left behind,” Yoes said. “Many citizens have been displaced from their homes due to extreme damages and power outages. The DART team will provide necessary supplies to these families so they can begin the recovery process for the Lake Charles community.”

The DART team dispatched with a mobile kitchen unit, which will provide three meals a day and beverages to the public safety officers working around the clock in the area affected by this disaster.

“Our brothers and sisters are always there to answer the call when our communities call for help,” Yoes said. “During disasters like this, the FOP comes together to take care of our officers in their time of need. We are answering their call.”

The FOP Foundation funds the equipment and resources utilized by the DART team. Donations to the FOP Foundation can be made here.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States with more than 355,000 members.