Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District holds open house
The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District held its second annual open house at the main station Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“This is our second open house,” Deputy Chief Benjamin Mickuleit said. “We want to show the community what we’re all about. We have fire truck rides and face painting, as well as spraying a fire hose and ‘dress like a firefighter’ for the kids. We also have the Lee County Sheriff’s Department fingerprinting the children.”
There were two helicopters on the ball field behind the fire station.
“The EMS helicopter had to leave on a call,” Mickuleit said. “There is also the Mosquito Control Huey helicopter. This is the helicopter Pine Islanders see almost every day.”
Mike Haslam is the pilot of the Huey helicopter seen over Pine Island.
“I used to be an auto mechanic but decided I wanted to do something I love to do every day so now this is my office,” Haslan said. “We pretty much spray all summer and have a couple of pilots out every day. Controlling the mosquitos improves the quality of life, allows people to enjoy the outdoors and protects the public health.”
Robert Hedrick is the inspector for the Lee County Mosquito Control.
“Everything we use to kill mosquito larvae is pet friendly,” Hedrick said. “The chemicals we use won’t hurt animals or fish or people. We target only mosquito larvae. This Huey helicopter is the one we use for larger areas and is our “workhorse”. It carries 350 gallons of material.”
Firefighting equipment was also on display.
“The Lee County Fire Marshall smoke trailer is to me one of the most important things we are doing today,” Fire Inspector Christi Kulwicki. said. “The smoke trailer gives the children and adults the simulated experience of getting out of a house that is filled with smoke. It is completely safe but very real. Exit drills and plans prepare them for a real emergency.”
Another display showed the dangers of leaving children in parked cars.
A new study provided by SafeKids.org indicates that “14 percent of parents say they have left a child alone inside a parked car despite the risks of heatstroke.”
“On average 38 children die every year because they are left alone in over-heated cars,” Kulwicki said. “Many people don’t realize how quickly a car heats up in the Florida sun. It takes only a few minutes before a child becomes overheated in an enclosed car. This demonstration car has only been here a short time and you can see the interior is 151 degrees.”
According to SafeKids.org the number of deaths can be reduced from heatstroke by remembering to A.C.T.
A. Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.
C. Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
T. Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.
“Since we’re still in hurricane season this is also another opportunity to let the adult islanders know about hang tags,” Mickuleit said. “We also want to thank our sponsors: Pine Island Pizza, Monroe Canal Marina, Matteo Graphics, Mel’s Diner, OneBlood, Bobby Holloway Memorial Fishing Tournament, Moose, American Legion, Low Key Tiki, The Waterfront and Tarpon Lodge. Pine Islander’s will be happy to know this entire event has been paid for by our sponsors.”