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Chetco bar fire commander 20176/11/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() Marine Corps while working with the National Guard troops during the fire seasons. One veteran of the Oregon fire season, Adrian Torres, who works for the Oregon Department of Forestry as a wild lands fires specialist, said he has enjoyed being able to reminisce on his eight years in the U.S. “We would not be able to do this without the support and understanding we receive from our employers and families.”Įvery year Oregon wildfires demand a lot from local, state and federal agencies that are in place to handle these types of disasters, but not every fire season requires a large call-up of National Guard firefighters. “I feel that we are best suited to help in these types of disasters because this is our home and we will fight harder for our home than anyone else will,” Markesino said. ![]() Markesino has worked side-by-side with many civil authorities in the incident command post and he said the experience has been extremely educational and fulfilling because they are very professional and supportive of the National Guard’s mission there. “The National Guard’s presence here has focused on supporting the incident commander and firefighters of the city of Brookings with putting out the fire and traffic assistance points,” said Markesino. Christopher Markesino, commander of C Company, 141st BSB.Ī total of 240 Army and Air Guard members from 14 different units and squadrons have come together at the Chetco Bar Fire and Markesino said they have been able to seamlessly mesh together and do an outstanding job at working together to support the fire relief. Soldiers and Airmen from all corners of Oregon have been volunteering to help out with this year’s fire season and the team at the Chetco Bar Fire has been under the leadership of the military liaison Maj. She said that being able to support fellow Oregonians and troops in order to give back has been the most rewarding aspect of this experience. Sperry felt that challenges and experiences like this are why she and many others joined the National Guard. “We have been resourcing with the civilian medical teams out here to ensure that all personnel and supply needs are met and the Soldiers can get back out on the fire lines ASAP to continue doing their job.” “This is my second time supporting the wildfire season and it has been a fantastic experience,” said Sperry. Sperry and her team have been able to triage minor medical ailments for their fellow Guard members at the Chetco Bar Fire, such as blisters and rolled ankles. K-Cee Sperry, of Molalla, Oregon, a combat medic with C Company, 141st Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “I was more than willing to come help out my state when they needed it the most and the training we received at the DPSST was great at preparing us to help our fellow Oregonians in need,” said Wunische.Įnsuring our Soldiers and Airmen can remain on the fire lines has been the responsibility of medics like Sgt. The first five days were spent at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) academy in Salem, Oregon, receiving their certifications to go out on the fire lines and fight the fires. Wunische said that most of the other Oregon National Guard personnel working alongside him were also called on to state active duty orders for 21 days. “They constantly give praises and their support has rallied our troops here and helped keep morale extremely high.” Isaiah Wunische, of Estacada, Oregon, a human resource specialist with 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “Every day on the way out to the fire lines we pass through the town of Brookings and the locals are always waving at us with smiles on their faces,” said Spc. With a total of 177,301 acres burned so far, relief crews work nonstop to contain the threat and prevent it from spreading and endangering local populations and structures. The largest of these fires, which was started by lightning strikes back in July, continues to burn southern Oregon in the rural areas around the town of Brookings. As of September 8, 2017, nearly 600 Oregon Guardsmen have volunteered to join the fight against wildfires across the state, working alongside local, state and federal agencies to battle one of the worst fire seasons in Oregon’s history. BROOKINGS, Oregon – A sky full of ash looms overhead while Oregon Army and Air National Guard members work around the clock to help contain the threats. ![]()
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