SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District will host a Grand Re-Opening on March 27 for its new Fire Station 172 on Sanibel-Captiva Road, which replaces the one damaged during Hurricane Ian.
A celebration of Sanibel’s resiliency and collective bounce-back from Hurricane Ian is planned.
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District will host a Grand Re-Opening on March 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for its new Fire Station 172 on Sanibel-Captiva Road, which replaces the storm-damaged one.
“This is a big deal,” Fire Chief Kevin Barbot said. “This is huge for the community.”
“Three and a half years ago, we didn’t know if the community would bounce back or how quickly if it did,” he added. “To be able to build back such a resilient structure has been absolutely amazing.”
Barbot noted that the new station is designed to take anything nature can throw at it.
“This station really is a tank,” he said. “Not only that, it’s beautiful.”
Demolished after sustaining severe damage in Ian, the original structure was built in the 1970s. It was similar to a single-family residence turned into a fire station, with an apparatus bay added on later.
Barbot explained that while was it was their home and met their needs, the station lacked certain important aspects. There was no treatment room for walk-in medical emergencies, plus no “hot zone” with decontamination equipment to keep the crew safe by enabling them to wash off upon return.
“And not take all of the contaminants into the actual living quarters,” he said.
Barbot noted that bunker gear can carry toxins.
“We have a dedicated gear room with a separate ventilation system,” he said of the new station.
“One of the biggest struggles and hurdles that we have to jump through is storm surge,” Barbot added, explaining that all living areas are elevated at least 6 feet and the apparatus bay floor is up 18 inches.
In addition, the apparatus bay is built to flood, to allow water to come in and then flow back out.
For the grand re-opening, the doors will open to the public at 10:30 a.m. for tours.
“They’re going to be able to do a self tour,” he said. “Every room and every area will have crew members to explain what that room is and what we do and why it’s important.”
There will also be special guests to meet, like local artist Rachel Pierce, who created the mural for the lighthouse feature, and local artist Alex Bustamante, who did a feature and painting in the kitchen.
The formal ceremony will take place at noon.
The Sanibel Fire Honor Guard will do the presentation of the colors.
“I will say some words and so will our board of fire commissioners,” Barbot said.
Local and state dignitaries will participate, and possibly federal ones.
“We’re going to have a pretty decent array of speakers,” he said. “This project has touched a lot of people and a lot of hands. There have been a lot of people who have helped make it a reality.”
There may be resident involvement, like a performance from The Sanibel School.
Also, the builder and designer will be present.
Following the ceremony, tours will continue from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
“If anybody missed it, they’re still able to hang out and check it out,” Barbot said.
Food and refreshments will be served.
General parking will be at the Lee County Mosquito Control District lot located off Bowman’s Beach Road, with a shuttle service provided for the half-mile trip to the station. Attendees can also walk. Parking for the handicap, dignitaries and first responder staff vehicles will be roadside on Bowman’s.
“Please follow all event signage and staff directions,” he said.
RSVPs are appreciated, but they not required.
The community is encouraged to come out for the celebration.
“I don’t know many communities who have as much pride — the individuals who are connected, the residents who live on Sanibel,” Barbot said. “This is a way to come and just look and go, ‘Wow, we did it. We’re bouncing back, and we’re bouncing back stronger than ever.’”
“Also for the fellowship and to meet their first responders. The people who serve them each and every day,” he added.
For more information, contact the district at 239-472-5525.
Station 172 is at 5171 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Grand Re-Opening
Who
Sanibel Fire and Rescue District
When
March 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where
Station 172, 5171 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email