Wagoner Co. Undersheriff Helps Serve Meals To First Responders After Hurricane Helene

The Wagoner County undersheriff just returned from South Carolina, where he helped after Hurricane Helene.

Undersheriff Mark Secrist went with the National Fraternal Order of Police Disaster Area Response Team to serve meals to local first responders while they assisted others.

“Rather than eating a cold bologna sandwich, they are able to get a hot breakfast, in most cases a hot lunch, and definitely a hot dinner,” Secrist said.

He traveled to Aiken, South Carolina, with the National FOP's Disaster Area Response Team.

Secrist says even though the firefighters, police officers and paramedics may have damage at their homes, they keep working during times like this.

“They are still responding to calls for service, they are coming out there and trying to help you, and they are victims themselves; they live in the communities they serve,” he said.

He says the first responders appreciate the help coming in from across the country, and DART aims to alleviate even the smallest amount of stress during tough times.

“One of the things that we do is come in and take one little bitty minor piece of the puzzle away that they don't have to worry about,” he said.

Since 2020, he's been to places like Colorado and Florida helping after wildfires and hurricanes and plans to keep showing up whenever and wherever people are in need.

“It's very fulfilling because I know I'm out there helping my brothers and sisters, all the first responders, and it's just my way of giving back just a little bit,” Secrist said.