Disaster Assistance Response Team

Sharron Riley
Director

At the April 2005 State Board meeting, the trustees approved a new benefit for FOP members.
Beginning June 1, 2006, the N.C. FOP Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) will respond to a
natural disaster area to assist officers who must work and have suffered damage as a result of the
disaster.


DART will provide home stabilization assistance such as placing tarps on damaged roofs, boarding
damaged windows, removing fallen trees from drive-ways and removing furniture from flooded
homes. DART may also provide assistance to officers' families by running emergency errands, helping
with disaster assistance paperwork and encouraging the use of support organizations.


DART is under the umbrella of the NC FOP Foundation but has its own executive committee. DART is
divided into four regions: Western, Piedmont, Northeastern and Southeastern. Each region is made up
of a regional coordinator and response teams. In addition, DART has a director, record keeper,
quartermaster and treasurer.


The executive committee has been working hard since April. The committee developed a list of
equipment to purchase. In December, with funding from the trustees, DART purchased a 16 foot cargo
trailer. The trailer will be housed at the State office in Cary. The trailer will be equipped with a
generator, air compressor and assorted tools and equipment needed for repairs