This month’s featured volunteer firefighter is Wagner’s Mike Insko. Mike has been a member of the Wagner Volunteer Fire Department for the last 13 years. Mike first joined the Wagner Fire Department because he wanted to become a part of an organization to meet others in the community and to be a part of providing assistance to the Wagner and surrounding areas.

This was new territory for Mike, as no one else in his family has been a member of a fire department. Mike is the current Chief of the Wagner Fire Department. He has previously served as the Assistant Chief and the Secretary/Treasurer. When asked how being a firefighter has influenced his perspective on life and family, Mike says that his experience has made him more empathetic towards individuals and families that have gone through an emergency or tragic event. It puts those everyday issues and perceived problems into perspective that they are not really that big of an issue. Especially in comparison to much larger tragedies of the loss of a home, or loss of a family member or friend through fire, motor vehicle accidents or other major life events.

For Mike, the most important qualities that a firefighter can possess are the willingness to learn and to continually improve through training. Also, the willingness to assist the community at any hour of the day, any time of the year. Mike feels that the most important duties of firefighters are the willingness to learn, train, and adapt to evolving situations. Again, another of the most important duties of a firefighter is the willingness to respond to emergencies at any moment throughout the year.

As a fire department, Wagner holds monthly meetings along with other trainings throughout the year. As the current Chief, Mike leads the monthly meetings along with coordinating trainings, applying for grants, representing the department at the Wagner Fire District Meetings, organizing gear and equipment purchases, and making suggestions for future purchases and budget proposals. The department tries to attend trainings and schooling when it is available. Several of the Wagner Fire Department typically attend state fire school annually. Members are also encouraged and expected to attend the SD Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 training.

One thing that the Wagner community should know about the Wagner Fire Department is that they cover a large area. The Wagner Fire District covers about 270 square miles, ranging from the river bottom south of Wagner to Marty, Ravinia, Dante, and close to Delmont. The fire department also helps with the races at the Wagner Speedway during the summer, and assist other departments with mutual aid.

Mike is married to his wife, Leah, who owns her own business “Leah Insko Photography” in Wagner. They have two children daughter, Kylin, (14) and son, Ryder (11). Mike works as a Natural Resource Specialist that works for the US Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Randall Dam/Lake Francis Case. They moved to Wagner in 2009 and Mike had previously worked for the Corps since 2003 in Iowa and Alaska. Mike is the treasurer with Wagner High School/Youth wrestling board, little league baseball coach, LMVC baseball board member, SD Hunt SAFE instructor, and volunteers annually with a youth turkey hunt.

Mike spends a lot of time hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors. He tries to get to Wyoming or Colorado each year on an elk hunt or other big game hunting or fishing adventures. Mike and his family have gone on several backcountry hiking and camping trips. He tries to keep busy with household, business and other remodeling projects as well.

Thank you, Mike, for your dedication to the Wagner Community.