Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District — serving the community as a family
The yearly budget for the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District was approved in October, and acting treasurer Fire Commissioner John Cammick believes it is important that the community knows how that money is going to be spent.
According to Cammick, the difference between having a top-notch district and one that doesn’t fare as well may come down to only a few dollars a month on average for taxpayers.
District Fire Chief Ben Mickuleit has had his sights set on making the district as strong as possible with an Advanced Life Support (ALS) system. Having a top-of-the-line system, such as ALS, said Cammick, will bring Pine Island on board with bigger, more heavily populated cities, explaining why the budget numbers were necessary.
People should be asking who is going to benefit from this.
The majority of calls received by the district are medical, increasing yearly at a rate of approximately 18 percent, said Mickuleit, making it necessary to increase staffing by hiring one extra firefighter per shift, totaling three hires this year. This, he said, is more feasible than the recommended six per station, which would be far too expensive.
Bringing all four of the island stations on board to ALS is the biggest part of achieving the district’s goals for the next five years. In order to achieve this, the firefighters have to undergo paramedic training school, which takes a year and a half; become state certified; and get credentialed by the district medical director to practice Para-medicine.
In addition to qualifying the firefighters for ALS, there is also the expense of necessary licensing and equipment to replace current aging equipment, such as a 2001 water tender, which carries 2,500 gallons of water to areas not currently connected with a hydrant system, said Mickuleit.
One of the most important goals, he said, is that engines from all four stations would always have at least one firefighting paramedic aboard.
A firefighter has to want to be on Pine Island, as other districts pay far more money, he explained. The overall family dynamic instilled at the stations plays a big role in seeking Pine Island after completing training and looking for a station, he added.
“We all know each other, we all hang out with each other. This job is not about going to work for an employer, it’s about working for the community and giving back,” Mickuleit said.
Going forward, the department has plans for island training grounds, where the firefighters can access training without impeding traffic. The island churches and water company have so far allowed firefighter training, but Mickuleit said, the use of multiple trucks makes it nearly impossible not to be in the way of anyone, making the designated training ground a real benefit. One of the properties might also serve as a landing zone for an emergency helicopter, extricating patients more easily off the island to nearby hospitals.
M/PIFCD Free Pumpkin Patch, activities Oct. 23
The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District is holding a Free Pumpkin Patch event at Station 1, located at 5700 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia, on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9-11 a.m.
The department reports it will also have a great photo opportunity for all with a fall-themed photo-op station. This event is a great event to meet your first responders and get to know them. Young guests will also receive a goodie-bag with treats and safety information. There will also be fire truck showings, arts and crafts and more.
If you have any questions, please call 239-283-0030.