M/PIFCD nets grant from Public Risk group
Last Wednesday morning, Pam Hancock from Public Risk Underwriters of Florida arrived at Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Station #1 to present a check for $5,000 to Chief Ben Mickuleit. The check is the result of a grant Mickuleit applied for several months ago.
“This grant comes from our workmen’s comp insurance company,” Mickuleit said. “They offer $5,000 matching grants to their customers. We recently purchased brush fire gear for about $10,000 and that’s where we’re going to apply this grant money.”
Public Risk offers reimbursement grants for personal protective equipment, safety related signs, driver training, continuing education classes and most any safety related training or equipment.
Firefighters fighting brush fires in the Florida heat frequently suffer heat stress and require lighter gear than firefighters in a structural fire.
“The new gear is essential in the Florida heat,” Mickuleit said “The men will not be as hot as they would be in the regular gear. The lighter equipment will not only increase mobility but will also increase productivity.”
“Chief Mickuleit is especially good at finding and receiving grant money,” Fire Commissioner Tonya Player said. “He was doing that before he became chief.”
“Until Ben Mickuleit became chief, we didn’t know what we didn’t have,” Commissioner John Cammick said. “I started here as a volunteer in 2000 and I’m confident that the future of this department is in good hands.”
“We’re happy to help any way we can,” Hancock said. “We’re an insurance company and we want everybody to be safe and have the equipment they need. So this is a grant we’re especially proud of.”