Natural disasters strike without warn-
ing, leaving behind the mass destruction
of resources, devastation of businesses and
homes and people struggling to survive one
day at a time. Our hearts fill with compas-
sion for those in need; we want to help. Our
thoughts focus on providing what we think
of as primary needs—food, water and shel-
ter. While these are essential life sustaining
elements, we need to think beyond that box
and acknowledge that access to fuel is of
equal importance as a response to natural
disasters. Fuel can and does save lives.
Fuel is vital to the operation of emer-
gency response vehicles and fundamental
to ensuring that necessary supplies can
be transported to the most affected areas.
When a disaster strikes, entire commu-
nities are often left without power for an
extended period of time. Without fuel to
power generators, it is not possible to run
medical equipment, water purification
plants cannot operate, food preparation
is limited, lights do not turn on and cell-
phones and computers do not get charged
impeding emergency warnings and other
advisory communications.
In addition to enabling use of life saving
equipment, facilitating essential commu-
nication and assisting in healthy food
preparation, fuel, in the form of heating
oil and/or coal, is a basic component to
keeping shelters warm and safe. Disasters
frequently occur as a result of unexpect-
edly severe weather conditions leaving
people stranded without access to the most
elemental needs including temperature
control.The Red Cross, the United Nations
and many non-governmental organiza-
tions recognize the importance of fuel and
have turned to Fuel Relief Fund for their
fuel supply.
Fuel is vital commodity that saves many,
many lives!
When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf
States in 2005, the lack of fuel contributed
to victims of the hurricane being unable to
access food, water and shelter. In addition,
many had to rely on power from generators
for weeks and sometimes months, before
regular power was restored. Board mem-
bers of Pacific Tank Lines voted to send a
"fuel relief" tanker truck filled with gasoline
on a journey from California to Mississippi
and then on to Louisiana. Survivors of the
hurricane were provided with free gasoline
to run their automobiles and generators,
aiding them in their time of need.
First-hand accounts from recipients,
government agencies and NGO's detailing
how this donation contributed to the qual-
ity of life immediately following a disaster,
prompted the establishment of the non-
profit organization, Fuel Relief Fund. Since
its inception in 2009, Fuel Relief Fund has
12 AUGUST 2015 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com
Submitted by Fuel Relief Fund
FUEL SAVES LIVES!
Van, Turkey earthquake, 2011
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