CCP steps up to help Captiva fire chief, family recover
The Captiva Community Panel is collecting donations for an island first responder who was severely impacted by Hurricane Ian and remains displaced from his home with his wife and two children.
During a recent meeting, the CCP discussed the situation Captiva Island Fire Control District Fire Chief Jeff Pawul and his family have been facing since the storm hit in late September and agreed with collecting donations to help their recovery and managing the paperwork, as he is a public servant.
“Captiva is a special community. Though we’ve just suffered from a natural disaster, many of us are in a financial position to survive and recover. But not all of us,” the CCA shared in a recent letter. “Today, one of Captiva’s first responders — who was so instrumental helping our community in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian — hasn’t asked for our help, but we’ve learned that he and his family need it.”
It noted that Pawul was one of the last to leave Captiva as Ian approached, and he one of the first to return to face the destruction left in the storm’s wake. He led his crews in clearing the roadways of debris so public safety and recovery personnel could make their way back to the island. He helped coordinate delivery of needed equipment and workers to Captiva when access was limited to barges.
“Jeff also worked to ensure that disaster recovery crews, returning residents and contractors would be safe as water and electricity were restored,” the CCA reported, noting that Pawul did it all while his home was severely damaged — the only Captiva first responder facing such a level of recovery costs.
“So we hope it’s time to lend a hand,” it added. “We’d like to help him get his home — and life — back to normal, with a contribution to help offset the storm-repair costs that his insurance did not cover.”
Pawul described the donation campaign to help his family recover as unfamiliar territory.
“I’m not used to being the one needing or getting help, that’s more of what I do. I’m used to helping people, not the other way around,” he said. “But my family and I are truly blessed and thankful for the support the community has shown to us after the storm. I’m just so very thankful and appreciative.”
Before Ian struck, Pawul lived within the Iona area in South Fort Myers with his wife and two daughters, ages 11 and 12. They had resided in the neighborhood for 15 years, moving in in 2008. Before the hurricane arrived, his wife and children headed inland to Estero to stay with family.
“She knows that I’m not going to be around to help her during these incidents,” he said.
Because of the flooding and debris left behind by the storm, it took a few days before the roadways were passable enough that his wife could return to their home to survey the damage caused by Ian. The home took in nearly 6 feet of water and also sustained wind damage to the roof, doors and windows.
“Basically everything, top to bottom, inside to out, was affected one way or another,” Pawul said.
Making matters even worse, his in-laws lived in the same neighborhood.
“Their house was also underwater and damaged,” he said. “It was just tough all around.”
With he and his fire crew needed on Captiva to respond and assist in the hurricane’s aftermath, it took about a week before Pawul was able to see his home for the first time. He explained that by then friends and neighbors had helped his wife clear out their house, salvaging what belongings they could.
“Luckily, we’ve got a lot of good friends who helped her out,” Pawul said.
The family is currently renting a condo.
“For the first month or so, it was friends’ houses and stuff — kind of bouncing around from friend to friend,” he said. “We, ultimately, had to find a place until we can make our house habitable again.”
The couple had flood and wind insurance and went through the claims process. However, like many who were heavily impacted by Ian have reported, the coverage payouts are not always as expected — and every time something new comes up, like finding out a new roof is needed, the costs just go up.
“It’s nowhere near the amount that they propose,” Pawul said.
As has been recommended, the family hired a public adjuster.
“We tried to fight for the rest,” he said.
The CCP is accepting donations until March 31 to help Pawul and his family recover.
Checks can be made payable to Jeff Pawul and mailed to Captiva Community Panel, P.O. Box 72, Captiva, FL 33924. Because he is a public employee, state law requires that donors submit a waiver with their contribution. The CCP asks that donors submit their completed waiver with their check.
To download the waiver, visit https://captivacommunitypanel.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=656168b945160d61770bf02f5&id=228dd3e024&e=8d4baae3d0. Those unable to download the waiver can still send a check; the CCP will then email them the waiver to complete and return.
For more information, contact CCP Administrator Ken Gooderham at captivacommunitypanel@gmail.com or 239-489-2616.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email