Sanibel fire board OKs alerting system, union agreement
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District’s commission approved equipment for the fire station under reconstruction and a new collective bargaining agreement with the union at its recent meeting.
On Nov. 13, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 on a resolution to approve the purchase and installation of an alerting system for Station 172 on Sanibel-Captiva Road. The alerting/dispatch technology package will be provided via contract from Digital Design/Honeywell for about $70,423.
Prior to the vote, Fire Chief Kevin Barbot explained that the equipment will be bought using the insurance proceeds for the station rebuild. It will include speakers, alert lighting and a countdown clock in the apparatus bay. Also, the district will piggyback off a county procurement process to buy it.
The board also voted 3-0 to approve certification of compliance with fair housing, anti-discrimination and use of force policies for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-funded projects.
Before the vote, Barbot explained that the district will receive $9.2 million from HUD through the Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery for Station 171 on Palm Ridge Road. As part of the receiving the funding, HUD requires that the district be on board with the three policies.
Also during the meeting, the commission considered the proposed collective bargaining agreement between the district and Southwest Florida Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Local 1826 District 17 for 2024-27. Prior to the discussion, Barbot noted that the union membership approved it.
“It’s been a tough five months, but we got that accomplished,” he said.
During the discussion, Commissioner Richard McCurry reported that he had not had time before the meeting to read the agreement, so he would be OK with tabling the vote until the next meeting.
Commissioners Jerry Muench and Bruce Cochrane said they had read it and had no issues.
A motion to approve, finalize and ratify the agreement passed 2-1, with McCurry in opposition.
“Because I haven’t had an opportunity to review it,” he said of the agreement and reason for his dissenting vote.
STATION REBUILD UPDATE
Assistant Fire Chief Chris Jackson provided an update on Station 172.
He reported that the concrete for the first floor foundation, front steps, concrete floors and apparatus bay floors has been completed. The concrete block walls, up to where the roof will be, have been completed in the first floor area. The interior block walls on the first floor are also almost completed.
The form tie beams over the apparatus bay doors were going to be poured that week.
“The next few weeks will be more tie beams and concrete block work,” Jackson said.
DISTRICT FINANCIAL REPORT
Barbot reported that the state appropriation for $2.1 million has been completed and submitted.
As far as the $9.2 million from HUD for Station 171, the district was waiting on the agreement from Lee County as the county is distributing the federal monies. He also reported that staff had tried to streamline the design process but HUD shut that down, so a new procurement process will be needed.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Barbot reported that four crew members, along with other local agencies, were deployed to the city of Perry and Taylor County for two weeks to assist with relief efforts after Hurricane Helene. After receiving help from outside agencies following Hurricane Ian, the district wanted to “pay it forward.”
He reported that the group was assigned to 911 response, ran emergency calls and more.
“It was an incredible week. It was an incredible honor to go out there and do it,” Barbot said.
“We will continue to pay it forward — as long as we’re able to do so,” he added.
In addition, Deputy Fire Chief John DiMaria and Capt. Mike Martin participated in the annual Brotherhood Ride on Oct. 22-29 from Naples to Live Oak, covering over 600 miles in total. This year’s ride honored the memory of 14 heroes in Florida and paid tribute to their service and sacrifice.
Martin shared that it was his third time taking part.
“It’s really an incredible week,” he said. “The comfort that you can bring to the families.”
BEACH CAMP FIRE PERMITS
Barbot explained that after Ian, the district paused issuing beach camp fire permits due to the dry conditions on the island and abundance of dead vegetation. However, the past summer brought plenty of rain, and he recommended that it resume the permits — which the commissioners agreed with.
He added that the district will continue to evaluate the conditions on Sanibel on a weekly basis. If dry weather or a state-issued burn bans arises, it will stop issuing those to prioritize the island’s safety.
For more information or to apply, visit www.sanibelfire.com/beach-campfire-permit.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The following staff were recognized for their years of service: firefighter Adam Felix for five years; engineer Joe Nygaard for 23 years; Capt. John Reitenbach for 21 years; engineer Craig Shelby for eight years; and engineer Edward Zarick for nine years.