Photo By Sgt. Jonathan Thibault | Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mike Wagner, right, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry...... read more read more
ST. HELENA, CALIF. -- The United States this year suffered its worst fi re season in 10 years as more than 7.8 million acres burned, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
In California alone, 5,225 fires were recorded by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, burning nearly 218,000 acres.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mike Wagner, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, traveled to St. Helena, California, to volunteer with the American Red Cross fire effort Sept. 28 to Oct. 3.
“I feel like I gain a lot from the work experience and the people that I meet while volunteering,” said Wagner. “I went to the California wildfires as a disaster services finance manager. This was my first opportunity deploying with the Red Cross, so I spent much of my time training for the position.”
Wagner said his volunteer work included coordinating with other disaster relief cells, such as operations and logistics, to ensure that the money was allocated and spent properly.
“I wanted to volunteer because I had free time and was familiar with what the Red Cross does for the military community,” said Wagner. “I also wanted to gain professional experience by taking a challenging volunteer position. I find the giving aspect fulfilling, but I also find that I benefit personally and professionally as well.”
Maj. Michael R. Starkey, supply operations officer, 4th CAB, said Wagner has a giving spirit, enjoys volunteering and wants to broaden his horizons with challenging volunteer positions.
“In addition to broadening his horizons it has also provided him with a great link to like-minded individuals who will bring a richer social aspect to his life,” said Starkey. “Soldiers like Wagner volunteer to contribute to society and bring positivity to the unit and the Army. It demonstrates a sense of selfless service to more than the country at large and establishes a connection with the local community where they serve.”
Wagner said while driving through the burn areas he could smell the ash inside his car with closed windows.
“We would be driving through untouched areas, and in the distance we could see the demarcation line where the fi re stopped burning,” said Wagner. “As we drove along, I would see areas that seemed relatively unaffected by the fire. Then in an opening between green trees, there would be a house burnt (down) to its foundation with cars melted in what used to be the driveway.
“I would drive through a town that was seemingly untouched, then as I drove to the opposite side of the town, it appeared as though a bomb had destroyed several blocks. I felt empathetic toward the people that lost their homes. I thought that even though some may be compensated by insurance, they still may have lost priceless heirlooms or other items that would be irreplaceable.”
Wagner said he had several emotional interactions with locals during his volunteer work.
“People would come up to me and shake my hand telling me how much it meant to them that we were there,” said Wagner. “The conversations would usually become emotional and the people would begin to cry. This showed me how much volunteers can do for people’s lives that have just been struck by disaster and are in a vulnerable position.”
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.30.2015 00:59 |
| Story ID: | 180396 |
| Location: | ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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