Mickuleit named Pine Island fire chief
At a special pinning ceremony today, Aug. 24, at 5 p.m., Deputy Fire Chief Ben Mickuleit will officially be named Pine Island’s new fire chief by the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Fire Commissioners.
Mickuleit joined the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Department right out of high school in 2004. Since then he has received numerous awards and Firefighter of the Year, Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District in 2007. Mickuleit became deputy fire chief in 2014.
“We moved here from Berlin, Germany, when I was 15 years old,” Mickuleit said. “What brought us here is that we liked the Southwest Florida area very much. The weather, the atmosphere, the people and the beaches. We just liked everything about Southwest Florida.
“I didn’t speak very much English when we moved here so it was very hard for me in the beginning,” Mickuleit said. “I learned some of the basics of English in Germany but not enough to actually communicate. After some tutoring, I went to Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers.
“I became interested in firefighting after watching the movie ‘Backdraft,'” Mickuleit said. “It’s about an outbreak of arson fires and shows kind of an inside look at the duties of firemen with a lot of pyrotechnics. Thankfully it’s not really like that.”
Mickuleit went through fire school right after high school when he was 18 years old.
“I knew I wanted to be a fireman but I also knew I wanted to move up in rank,” Mickuleit said. “That’s why I pursued my education so that if the opportunity arose I would be qualified and ready. At the time I became deputy chief, the requirement was the candidate should have a bachelors degree, which I had. The candidate also needs 10 years in the department. I joined in 2004 so in 2014 I had my 10 years. One additional thing I knew would help me move up in rank was to go to paramedic school and become a state certified paramedic, and now I’m going for my master’s degree. I think education is a very important part of this job.”
Mickuleit married his wife Megan in 2010. They have two children, Madelyn and Lauren.
“About a year ago we moved from Cape Coral to Bokeelia,” Mickuleit said. “I want to be a part of this community. I’m very community driven, that’s why I moved here.”
The soon-to-be chief is already looking to the future with the M/PIFCD.
“I think it’s time for the department to go in a new direction,” Mickuleit said. “We went through a period of stagnation and now it’s time for some fresh and new ideas. Now that the referendum has passed, we have the funds to accomplish new goals such as the new fire station, which is huge for us. As you know we have purchased two new trucks and should have them before the end of the year. And we purchased the much-needed extrication equipment. We’ve ordered three sets, one for each truck and will have them soon. I’m very excited about the future.
“I’m also working to bring business back to the island,” Mickuleit said. “For example, if there’s a supplier on the island I’d rather make that purchase here instead of going to Cape Coral or Fort Myers.
“During the last year I can’t tell you how many people in the community offered their support,” Mickuleit said. “The Fire Commissioners gave me their support and, of course, the guys at the fire house. There is so much talent and knowledge there – with just the three captains we have something like 75 years of knowledge and experience. I tap into that knowledge as much as I can.”
Mickuleit is also looking forward to the challenge of being the fire chief.
“I’m excited about becoming chief,” Mickuleit said. “I’m looking forward to the ‘pinning’ ceremony Wednesday night. I’d like to invite everyone to come to Fire House #1 (Pine Island Road) Wednesday at 5 p.m.”