Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Department conducts Safety Seminar
The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Department conducted a Safety Seminar at Palms of Pine Island Trailer Park in Bokeelia Thursday night.
Well over 50 residents arrived to receive their hurricane re-entry hang tags and information regarding hurricane evacuation and return to the island. On hand were Fire Chief Joe Marzella, Deputy Fire Chief Benjamin Mickuleit, Fire Inspector Christi Roman, Firefighter Matt Davis and Engineer Michael Welchman.
In addition to the hang tags, the department handed out “Vials of Life.” The Vial of Life program allows individuals to have their complete medical information ready in their home for emergency personnel to reference during an emergency.
Also available were “sharps containers,” safe receptacles for used medical needles and other sharp medical instruments.
Roman also answered numerous questions about child car seats and Jim McLaughlin was there to translate, if necessary.
“We really had a great turnout tonight,” Mickuleit said. “Although Pine Island hasn’t had a direct hurricane in more than 10 years, it’s always good to be informed.”
He continued, “The hang-tags will allow people back on the island after a hurricane and the Vial of Life is something that is there to help them year round.”
The M/PIFCD serves all of Pine Island and Matlacha, and Cape Royal, east of the islands.
The administrative offices for the department are at Station 1, 5700 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia.
For additional information, call the department’s non-emergency number at 239-283-0030.