M/PIFCD holds open house
Under cloudy skies, the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District held its third annual open house at the main fire station (Bokeelia) on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fire Chief Benjamin Mickuleit was sitting inside the Lee County smoke trailer.
“This is our third annual open house,” Mickuleit said. “I believe the Lee County Fire Marshall Smoke Trailer is one of the most important things we are doing today. 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. After a short video and a demonstration about safety in the kitchen they perform an exit drill that helps them prepare them for a real emergency.”
“This is also a good opportunity for the community to learn about us and who we are,” Fire Inspector Christi Kulwicki said. “We have the pumpkin patch and fire truck rides. The children will also have an opportunity to spray the fire hose and the Lee County Sheriff’s Department is here to fingerprint the children. It’s all a lot of fun but very educational.
“One thing we added last year was the thermometer that shows people how quickly the temperature inside a closed car will rise,” Kulwicki said. “Even though it’s only in the 80s today, the internal temperature of the car on display is 124 degrees. On days when we get into the 90s, the inside of a car can go over 150 degrees.”
A recent 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.”
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.
“We want the community and especially the children to know what the fire department is all about,” Mickuleit said. “If we ever see them on a call we want to be familiar to them and we want the kids to know that we’re here to help them.”