The Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission approved a deferred compensation plan for staff during its recent meeting, as well as heard about multiple calls that required the medical helicopter.

On Feb. 10, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 to authorize the addition of the National Public Pension Fund Association’s (NPPFA) deferred compensation plan as an employee benefit. As part of the motion, the board also approved adopting the related documents, agreement and specifications.

Prior to the vote, Fire Chief Jeff Pawul explained that establishing the additional NPPFA plan would provide district staff with greater flexibility with their own contributions.

Also at the meeting, he reported that the district responded to 32 calls in January.

“We flew out four patients very recently,” Pawul said.

He explained that there were two medical calls involving heart attacks. Also on the island, the crew responded to a chainsaw accident, along with a man who fell from a ladder while cutting a tree.

As for off-island calls, the district responded to Cayo Costa, where workers were demolishing a boat that had washed ashore in the hurricanes and one person was crushed by the heavy machinery’s bucket.

“We definitely utilized that pad,” he said of the helicopter landing zone.

Also during the meeting, Pawul provided an update on the ladder truck agreement with South Seas.

He reported that he reached out to South Seas Ownership Group President Greg Spencer on the finalized contract, which the fire commission has signed off on but has not yet received back. Pawul reported that he got no response, so he called the resort and was told Spencer would be in touch.

“There’s very low communication with the resort right now,” he said.

IN OTHER NEWS

– The commission discussed Trump Accounts, which are tax-advantaged, IRA-style investment accounts for U.S. citizens under age 18 that allow tax-deferred growth for long-term savings.

Commissioner Jeff Brown reported that large companies are starting to take advantage of the employer contribution aspect, which could also benefit the district with staff retention and applicant attraction.

To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email