Photo By Spc. Amy Carle | Soldiers from Delta Company, 1-184th Infantry Battalion, work to build sandbags as...... read more read more
SNELLING, Calif. Feb. 17, 2017 -- It’s been nearly 20 years since the Merced River flooded. It’s been nearly five years since California experienced such a wet February, raising the specter of floods again.
Concern for that event is why, at the request of the California Office of Emergency Services, Soldiers from Delta Company, 1-184th Infantry Battalion, headed out to Merced County Fire Department Station 65 in Snelling to support flood-prevention efforts.
The heavy rain caused the river to swell and water to flow high up onto the banks similar to the last big flood, said Mark Pimentel, battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), Merced Division.
The California Guardsmen came out to help the community be proactive and prepared, filling and helping disperse nearly 1,000 sandbags to members of the local community.
“Everything is going just the way it’s planned to go,” Pimentel said. “We’re just trying to make sure we’ll be able to help these people out.”
The Soldiers got to work quickly, a well-orchestrated machine in motion. Stopping only briefly to take tips from members of the Cal Fire team, within minutes Soldiers were turning chest-high piles into dozens of filled sandbags.
“Everybody is uplifted right now, and we’re just here to do the job,” said 1st Sgt. Humberto Gonzalez. “Whatever they need.”
Muddy and wet from the driving rain, spirits were still high. Soldiers literally ran to help load vehicles for the area residents who came to pick up supplies.
“It’s rewarding,” said Sgt. Ryan Anchinges. “This is probably one of my favorite things about being part of the California National Guard; being able to help give back to the community.”
Anchinges said their mission was easier because of a good partnership with the Cal Fire team. He credited the team for their excellent communication and collaboration.
“Today has been very helpful, having the extra hands fill sandbags,” said Richard Chow, a Cal Fire apparatus engineer. “I’m sure it gives the residents peace of mind knowing and seeing all the help that’s out here for them.”
Anchinges said he and the rest of the Soldiers in the 1-184th Infantry are always ready to get to work to support the community, wherever the unit might be needed.
“This is what we love: We love getting our hands dirty,” he said. “California, we’re here for you.”
| Date Taken: | 02.17.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.19.2017 19:01 |
| Story ID: | 224077 |
| Location: | SNELLING, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, One step ahead of the floods, by SPC Amy Carle, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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