Captiva fire commission OKs resolutions, hears of condo fire
The Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission approved three resolutions at its meeting, as well as heard about a condo fire and received an update on the district’s landing zone project.
On Oct. 12, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 to approve: an upgrade to the in-vehicle router for Engine 181, which will be purchased from Motorola Solutions on the Lee County contract for a not-to-exceed price of $2,900, including installation and programming; an upgrade to the fire station’s alerting system, which will be purchased from Motorola Solutions on the county contract for a not-to-exceed price of about $7,361, including installation and programming; and the purchase of three sets of new Globe bunker gear from the Bennett Fire Products Co. for a not-to-exceed price of $2,700 each.
“The three sets are for the three new employees,” Fire Chief Jeff Pawul said of the Globe gear.
Also during the meeting, Pawul discussed with the commission a condo fire on Oct. 11 at approximately 7 p.m. that the crews responded to within the South Seas Island Resort.
The incident took place at 1052 Plantation Beach Club.
“It was a kitchen fire that started on the stove. It was stated that the occupant became locked out of the unit, and then he realized that the unit was on fire from what he was cooking,” he said.
Pawul continued that the occupant attempted to contact South Seas’ security and the vacation rental company for the unit to get back inside instead of calling 911. Upon returning back to the unit, he found an unlocked window and tried to put out the flames using a fire extinguisher he found outside.
“So then we were finally notified from a South Seas security guard of the location and that there was a structure fire,” he said. “The crews did a great job. It could have been much worse.”
Pawul reported that unit sustained “pretty good damage.”
“The kitchen itself was destroyed,” he said. “The rest of the unit was fine as far as (fire) damage, but there was heavy smoke damage to the entire unit, so that essentially makes it uninhabitable.”
Pawul noted that the fire remained contained to the unit.
He advised the public not to risk one’s health and safety to try and save property.
“When you don’t have the proper equipment to go into that atmosphere, you can easily be overcome by the smoke itself,” Pawul said. “So instead of just trying to put out a fire, we’re trying to save you.”
“He was extremely lucky that did not happen,” he added of the occupant.
The occupant was treated on scene for some smoke inhalation but did not go to the hospital.
“If there’s any kind of emergency like that, your first call should be 911,” Pawul said. “At least call us first before you try to do something on your own.”
Also at the meeting, he provided an update from DexBender Environmental Consulting, the firm conducting research for a new landing zone on the island for Lee County’s EMS helicopter.
Pawul explained that he received a summary analysis and report on two options the district is considering: landing the helicopter on a beach dune or on a South Seas mangrove site. The firm found a dune landing could be possible with the proper authorization, vegetation mitigation and such.
“With that paragraph of the summary, it is an option,” he said.
As for the mangrove site, the firm considered the construction of an elevated structure for the helicopter to land on, as well as a basic pad that would be less expensive in terms of mitigation and overall cost. State agencies, however, voiced objections to using a mangrove area for the site.
“(The firm) did not feel it was a likely scenario,” Pawul said. “It received heavy opposition.”
Commissioner Jeffrey Brown asked if that meant a dune site might be the easiest and more cost effective solution. Pawul said yes, but noted that he is uncertain how the public may respond.
Brown agreed that stakeholder input is important, and he explained that the district should provide an update to the community at an upcoming Captiva Community Panel meeting to get some feedback.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The district responded to 47 calls in September, versus about 30 for the same month in 2020.
“It was a slower month, but still over last year,” Pawul said.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email