Mission Continues to Equip Iraqi Police

Friday, July 21, 2006

July 21, 2006 -- Volunteers from Brotherhood of The Badge will soon be headed back to Iraq. In a couple of weeks, they'll be continuing their delivering of supplies to Iraqi police and other emergency responders.

Joining them this time will be Fresno's fire chief, bringing surplus fire gear for Iraqi firefighters.

Scenes showing Iraqi police with no protection were commonplace in the first year of the war. When a Fresno cop serving in Iraq e-mailed his friends back home to help equip the Iraqis he was training, the Brotherhood of The Badge was born.

"It was our goal to put one of these things on every officer over there. We've probably got about 20% of the country covered now," said Mike Harris, from the Brotherhood of The Badge.

The first delivery was in February of 2004. To date, more than 10,000 surplus police vests have been given to Iraqi policeman.

Thanks to an anonymous donor of $2.7 million, 6,500 more new vests will be added to that total.

Nationwide efforts to continue the flow of donated surplus police vests will continue, says Harris.

Fresno's fire chief has similar plans for a national campaign to bring U.S. firefighters into the project.

Bruegman expects to talk with Iraqi firefighters and learn more about what they need.

City leaders support Bruegman's decision to go into what is a dangerous place.

"We can help them become better prepared to meet their mission there, stand up their efforts so their country gets back on their feet ... I think it's worth the risk," said Fresno Fire Chief Randy Bruegman.

Police and firefighters are no strangers to risk, but once in the region, the Fresno group will be escorted by the military.

For more information on the Operation Soldier campaign, visit their website at www.operationsoldier.com/brotherhoodofthebadge.html

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