By Brian Szabelski, American Red Cross

The American Red Cross of Wyoming presented a Lifesaving Award to a Natrona County emergency manager whose quick actions helped save the life of a person trapped inside a home on fire.

On July 9, 2025, firefighters were called to the scene of a structure fire in Natrona County, Wyoming. Initial reports stated an elderly male and female were home and still inside the residence, with smoke and fire reported to 911.

Natrona County Emergency Manager Mike Cavalier had just returned home from an extended shift working at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo. As Mike was settling in for the evening, he received the fire notification at approximately 1:10 a.m., indicating that one person was running from the house and that "dad (was) in the house by his bedroom door."

Upon receiving the notification, Mike went to the scene as was the first responder to arrive. After giving responding units a brief initial report, Mike noticed a woman on the front porch of the home while he was putting on protective gear. The woman approached him and stated there was still another person inside the house.

Mike then approached the front door, with high heat and heavy smoke exiting the structure, and yelled inside for the trapped person. They answered with a cry for help and Mike, with no breathing apparatus and only minimal protective equipment on, entered the house and a situation that was immediately dangerous to life and health.

Mike was able to locate the trapped person under zero visibility conditions, moving him out through the front door to a safe location. He then began initially treating the person, placing them on oxygen, checking vitals and treating their wounds. As Mike was doing this, Wyoming Medical Center responders arrived on scene and assumed patient care.

In between the time Mike pulled the person out of the houser and the first arriving fire engine, the house became engulfed in flames and the interior of the building no longer had any safe space. Had Mike not made the decision to enter the structure at the time he did, with considerable risk to his safety, the person trapped inside likely would have died.

Mike was presented with his Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action award on June 30, 2026, in Casper, Wyo.

The Lifesaving Awards provide recognition for individuals and acknowledgment of the immense payoff of Red Cross safety and preparedness training — arming people with the skills and confidence needed to respond appropriately to sudden emergencies.

To learn more about the awards or make a nomination, visit the Red Cross Lifesaving Awards website. You can also learn more about Red Cross training opportunities and learn to be a lifesaver yourself.