The three M/PIFCD representatives, right, talk during the GPICA meeting last week. PHOTO PROVIDED

Representatives of the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District were the guest speakers at the Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting last Tuesday, Oct. 7, at First Baptist Church of Pine Island.

M/PIFCD Assistant EMS Chief Cody Allen, Finance Manager Sarah Miles and Assistant Chief of Fire Matthew Davis gave a presentation on the current happenings at the local fire department.

Allen began with some call data from last year, which, he said, was comprised of 1,841 calls total. He explained that the department shifts are made up of three shifts, each 24 hours on and 48 hours off. The helicopter was used 48 times last year and has already been used 50 times this year.

“That’s roughly 5 times a month we’re using the helicopter. We use the helicopter for a variety of different reasons, the majority of them being our distance to many of the specialty care facilities within our area,” Allen said.

Many of these facilities are far away, he said, especially taking traffic and time of year into consideration. Using the helicopter gives the patient a much more expedited response time. The majority of the time the helicopter lands in Calusa Cay plaza, behind Publix, he said.

At the beginning of the month, the M/PIFCD had a yearly total of 1,300 calls. The majority of their calls, he said, are going to be medical in nature. This year there have been 41 fire related calls so far, he added.

“We also run quite a few public assistance — I don’t know if everybody is aware of that service that we provide, but if you or a loved one need any assistance, the majority of the time when we run those calls, it’s for somebody that’s fallen and they can’t get up themselves, or their loved one that’s there can’t get up or if they need to get up out of a car to get back upstairs from a doctors appointment, we provide that service and you can call 9-1-1 or you can call our station and we will come and assist you in that capacity,” Allen said.

Miles gave her presentation by letting GPICA members know that approximately half of M/PIFCD firefighters are qualified to teach CPR and that anyone interested in learning CPR can come to get certified for a fee or to learn without certification for free. Assistance with smoke alarm installation void of electrical work, such as needing to reach a smoke alarm for a battery change, is also offered. She told the group that she and two others at M/PIFCD are also car seat installation certified.

“If you have children, or grandchildren coming into town and need a car seat installed in your car and don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself — a week long class that we take is Safe Kids of Florida, the organization that puts it on, the local jurisdiction is out of Golisano. You learn everything from infant carrier up to booster seats and everything in between,” Miles said.

If more information is needed, Miles said all three representatives are available at Station #1, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call to make an appointment or just stop by. She also said blood pressure checks can be completed at all four island stations, where all employees are qualified to perform them.

If a pet is lost in a fire, she said, there is an existing agreement with Lee County Domestic Animal Services that will wave any fee related to adopting a new pet.

Miles also explained Safe Place, which is a place for children under 18 years of age who feel threatened for whatever reason. The children, she said, are welcome to go to any of the fire stations and stay there until authorities are able to come and care for them. The organization, Safe Haven, she said, is for mothers who want to give up a newborn baby.

“We have the ability to take them at all four stations, as well,” Miles said.

The next general GPICA monthly meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 6:30 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Pine Island.

To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email