SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
A celebration of Sanibel\u2019s resiliency and collective bounce-back from Hurricane Ian is planned.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a big deal,\u201d Fire Chief Kevin Barbot said. \u201cThis is huge for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThree and a half years ago, we didn\u2019t know if the community would bounce back or how quickly if it did,\u201d he added. \u201cTo be able to build back such a resilient structure has been absolutely amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barbot noted that the new station is designed to take anything nature can throw at it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis station really is a tank,\u201d he said. \u201cNot only that, it\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201chot zone\u201d with decontamination equipment to keep the crew safe by enabling them to wash off upon return.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd not take all of the contaminants into the actual living quarters,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Barbot noted that bunker gear can carry toxins.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a dedicated gear room with a separate ventilation system,\u201d he said of the new station.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the biggest struggles and hurdles that we have to jump through is storm surge,\u201d Barbot added, explaining that all living areas are elevated at least 6 feet and the apparatus bay floor is up 18 inches.<\/p>\n
In addition, the apparatus bay is built to flood, to allow water to come in and then flow back out.<\/p>\n
For the grand re-opening, the doors will open to the public at 10:30 a.m. for tours.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re going to be able to do a self tour,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery room and every area will have crew members to explain what that room is and what we do and why it\u2019s important.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The formal ceremony will take place at noon.<\/p>\n
The Sanibel Fire Honor Guard will do the presentation of the colors.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will say some words and so will our board of fire commissioners,\u201d Barbot said.<\/p>\n
Local and state dignitaries will participate, and possibly federal ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have a pretty decent array of speakers,\u201d he said. \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
There may be resident involvement, like a performance from The Sanibel School.<\/p>\n
Also, the builder and designer will be present.<\/p>\n
Following the ceremony, tours will continue from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf anybody missed it, they\u2019re still able to hang out and check it out,\u201d Barbot said.<\/p>\n
Food and refreshments will be served.<\/p>\n
General parking will be at the Lee County Mosquito Control District lot located off Bowman\u2019s 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\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease follow all event signage and staff directions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
RSVPs are appreciated, but they not required.<\/p>\n
The community is encouraged to come out for the celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know many communities who have as much pride \u2014 the individuals who are connected, the residents who live on Sanibel,\u201d Barbot said. \u201cThis is a way to come and just look and go, \u2018Wow, we did it. We\u2019re bouncing back, and we\u2019re bouncing back stronger than ever.’\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso for the fellowship and to meet their first responders. The people who serve them each and every day,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n