One of USFRA’s key programs is helping coordinate and provide relief to first responders (esp. after a disaster or emergency) thanks to the generous support of our partners and sponsors.
For over 4 years one of USFRA’s premiere partners – Jägermeister – has played a very active role in relief efforts including the First Responder Thank You event in USFRA’s hometown of Panama City after Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida panhandle, in California after the Woolsey Fire roared into Malibu, and helping several New York VFDs near MJUS’ hometown of White Plains during the COVID-19 outbreak.
On September 28, 2022 the deadly Hurricane Ian slammed SW Florida and wreaked havoc as the Category 4 storm destroyed lives, businesses and homes, with many people still displaced to this day.
According to NPR.org, 6 months after Hurricane Ian rebuilding is going slowly throughout SW Florida. At least 149 people were killed in the storm from flooding and 155-mph winds. The powerful massive storm surge flattened structures in coastal areas, helping make it the third costliest hurricane on record after only Katrina and Harvey, and the deadliest storm to strike the state since 1935.
FEMA reports almost $7 billion in federal support to Floridians is helping households, communities, and the state of Florida recover from Hurricane Ian. The support included $1.06 billion in Individual Assistance for 384,477 households to help with rent and repairs, $1.77 billion in low-interest disaster loans from the SBA, $3.4 billion in payments from the National Flood Insurance Program, and $738 million to reimburse the state and local governments for the costs of debris removal and emergency response.
Oftentimes smaller agencies don’t always get the media attention nor funding needed to help with recovery of damaged or destroyed gear, apparatus and buildings especially after most of the national spotlight has moved on to other emergencies and disasters.
Thanks to MJUS, USFRA provided $2,000 donations to each of the 5 small agencies (4 in Florida recovering from Ian and 1 in Georgia who lost everything in a fire) late December 2022, and both Fire and Police Departments were extremely appreciative of the funds.
Below are some photos submitted to USFRA (and “borrowed” from their FB pages) and, both U. S. First Responders Association and Mast-Jägermeister US would like to express our gratitude to all 4 FDs and 1 PD for supporting your communities, especially during the on-going recovery in your respective states.
Please stay safe and, with your help, Lee and Charlotte Counties in Florida and Cohutta, Georgia will move forward as One Community. Together. (Learn more about USFRA Programs and How to help us Help Our Heroes.)
Little Gasparilla Island Fire Rescue (LGIFR Facebook page)
Matlacha-Pine Island Fire Control District (MPIFCD Facebook page)
Sanibel Fire and Rescue (SF&R Facebook page)
Upper Captiva Fire & Rescue (UCFR Facebook Page)
On Sunday, December 18, 2022 the Cohutta Police Department and Court was completed destroyed by fire. The only equipment the department retained is what the officers had in their cars. The department asked for assistance in the form of transfer of equipment or financial donations through Facebook, and USFRA reached out offering a $2,000 donation to help.
Cohutta Police Department (CPD Facebook page)
Learn more about USFRA's Disaster Relief efforts, other USFRA Programs and How to help us help our nation's first responders, veterans, and K9s.