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In Celebration Of Those Who Labor

photo by Photo Provided Chief Bill Wager sees his service to people as part of his life and what he was inspired to do. Fire Service has been in his family and life since he was young.

photo by Photo Provided

Monday September 7, 2015

By Cookie Steponaitis

America’s workers have always done the impossible. They have moved mountains, linked continents, landed man on the moon, invented technology to travel inside the human heart and continually taken the concept of impossible and made it possible. The first Monday in September was set aside to honor the social and economic achievements of these generations of American laborers. Their performance contributed to the rise of America as a world leader and for those who labor and serve, Labor Day is a reminder of what makes America run and the Champlain Valley a place where volunteerism is alive and well.
    Ferrsiburg Fire Chief Bill Wager literally grew up around the fire department and lived in the Hollow in North Ferrisburg. Wager has memories of being about three or four and going with his grandmother to the fire department just down the street from his home. Chief Yandow set Wager on the seat of a 1964 fire truck and a life’s journey was set in motion. Ironically, Wager would learn how to operate and become a fire engineer on that same fire truck which continued in use until its retirement in 1993.
    “The fire department is not work, it is a part of my life,” shared Chief Wager. “It is my passion and fulfilling because it helps people in my community. I have always enjoyed it and it is simply a part of my life.” Wager joined the Ferrisburg Volunteer Fire Department’s first cadet program in 1976 and literally could be found most of the time at the firehouse with his mentor Bob Jenkins. As the years have progressed and Wager has moved up the ranks in the fire department, the demands on volunteers have increased exponentially whether it is car crashes, lost hikers, water rescue, fighting fires, hazardous cargos and spills, rescuing dogs or carbon monoxide issues, the volunteers fill a need in the community.
    Wager also has served the community for the past thirty years as an Emergency Med Technician with Charlotte and Vergennes Rescue and has served as a part time police officer for the Hinesburgh and Vergennes Police Departments the past twelve years. It is the commitment to helping neighbors and excellence that keeps him active and committed. “It takes a lot of work,” explained Wager. “Service is so much more. It is putting into it what you want to get out of it. There are a host of things I have learned in the fire services that I use in my day career, including people skills and technical skills.”
    Wager has a family history of fire services and law enforcement that includes a U.S. Marshall, highway patrolman and several other branches of law enforcement that also extends to Wager’s commitment to serve in the realms of medicine, fire services and law enforcement. The passion to serve and follow through doing your best is passed on to each new generation through example and volunteer programs like the Cadet Program at the Ferrisburg Volunteer Fire Department. While Labor Day acknowledges those who work and serve, Wager will not be at home but out doing what he loves best working patrol and keeping people safe as they travel Vermont’s roads on a holiday weekend, putting into practice the commitment to service and work that helped put America at the head and made it a world leader.

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