Captiva fire commissioners hire firm for feasibility study
At its monthly meeting, the Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission approved hiring a consulting firm to examine and report on any potential landing sites for the EMS helicopter.
On May 4, the commissioners voted 3-0 for the district to enter into a contact with DexBender Environmental Consulting at a total cost of $2,000 in order to assist with a feasibility study for a new medical helicopter landing zone on Captiva. The district lost access to the Rauschenberg lawn.
It continues to have permission to use a site at the South Seas Island Resort on the north end and an Osprey Way Drive parcel on the south end, but is now searching for a new centrally-located site.
“We’ve kind of just started trying to identify, ‘Are there any other options on the island?'” Fire Chief Jeff Pawul said, adding that the firm is known locally. “They’ve done a lot of work on the island.”
He explained that for the study, DexBender will look at available properties across Captiva and determine if the lands can be cleared for LeeFlight’s helicopter to land on — not for building on. The study is solely intended to find sites that may work as a zone, regardless of buy, lease or borrow.
“Could we use it?” Pawul asked. “Is it possible to make it happen?”
“We don’t need a ton of stuff,” he added. “We just need a somewhat, groomed level space.”
Pawul also has been working with LeeFlight to identify what areas will and will not work on an intermediate basis as a site. He reported that the district has received approval to use a lot cleared for new housing, located just north of the ‘Tween Waters Island Resort, until the construction begins.
“We have permission to land on the lot,” Pawul said, noting that the situation is temporary.
Also at the meeting, he gave an update on the district’s annual audit.
Pawul reported that CliftonLarsonAllen is almost done with all of the field work and reviews, and the firm is about 98 percent through the process. A draft of the financial statement has been provided.
The firm will present its findings at the June 15 meeting.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Pawul reported that the reserve truck recently underwent repairs.
– The district is in the middle of fire hydrant maintenance, including painting and flushing.
– The district responded to 50 calls in April, compared to the low 40s for the same month in 2020.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email