'Brotherhood of the Badge' helps Afghan police, firefighters

Members of the Fresno-based "Brotherhood of the Badge" traveled to Afghanistan last week to assess needs of the war-torn country's police and firefighters and then help.

"They don't have any equipment there. Imagine going to a battle or a suicide bombing where the vehicle is on fire and you have very little or even no equipment," said Ken Shockley, spokesman for the Fresno Fire Department.

It's the same concept that fuels "Brotherhood of the Badge." The non-profit organization was born in 2003 when veteran Fresno police officer Michael Harris recognized the need to equip Iraqi police.

"They're expected to do the same job in a worse scenario with less to work with," Harris said. "One police officer will usually come to the aid of another police officer. Across the world, no matter where we live, we have a common bond."

Harris took the department's surplus of unusable or expired equipment - slated for disposal - and shipped it overseas. The mission has since grown.

On Feb. 4, Harris, along with Fresno City Councilmember Jerry Duncan and representatives from the police and fire departments, made a special trip.

"The last mission to Afghanistan was quite a revelation because of the need of fire equipment. They basically don't have anything in that realm," Harris reiterated.

The crew brought with them 50 sets of vests, radios and flashlights plus water hoses, nozzles and fire gear.

They say a look at Kabul police - who also serve as the city's firefighters - is proof this gear and equipment will make all the difference.

"They're standing on the street corners protecting and directing traffic where suicide bombers have been known to attack. They don't have any body armor. They're wearing a shirt, a cap. They're holding an AK-47 or a pistol," Shockley said.

The group returned last Friday; they're already preparing to send more gear to Afghanistan's police and firefighters soon.

"Afghanistan is a great country. It has a great culture and great people. Those people want to be free and that's what America is all about: helping people become free," Duncan boasted. "And the people in Afghanistan now know about our city and how we want to help."

Fellow Fresno police officer and "Brotherhood" co-founder Brian Burry says it's hope for this war-torn country and also hope for the U.S.

"When they buy in and have equity of their freedom, they'll fight. We help with this surplus equipment. It makes sense to get them strong on their feet and get our men and women out of there sooner."

Since 2003, "Brotherhood of the Badge" has sent more than 20,000 bulletproof vests and thousands of helmets and radios into the Iraqi theater. More than 100 law enforcement agencies from across the U.S. have donated equipment to the cause.

The organization hopes to add more fire departments to this growing donor list.

Click on the video link to watch Catherine Mylinh's report.

http://brotherhoodofthebadgeint.org/

Catherine Mylinh reports.

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[aylar24]

What an amazing story. Thank you for helping Afghan people.

[kkshockley]

Well done...