SCPFD recently partnered with ReVive Pharmacy as we launched the Florida Department of Children and Families Overdose Prevention Program in our area. The program is designed to reduce opioid overdose deaths by providing access to FDA-approved emergency opioid antagonists, to organizations that serve individuals at risk of witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose. The program has 2 primary goals:

1. Provide overdose recognition and response training to organizations and individuals who may witness or experience an opioid overdose; and
2. Distribute free naloxone kits to individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose, as well as to friends and family members who may witness an opioid overdose.

It is through great community partnerships like ours with the ReVive Pharmacy that we are able to provide exemplary emergency medical service to our residents.

The 2017 totals for Florida Fire Incidents have been tallied and we’d like to share some statistics with you. In 2017 there were a total of 52,895 fires and a total of 2,042,876 EMS and other emergency calls across the state. Lee County was responsible for responding to 1,864 of the total fires and 63,307 of the EMS and emergency calls. With these numbers it is easy to see how in Florida a fire department responds every 22 seconds to an EMS call which occurs every 29 seconds or a fire which occurs every 8 minutes and 7 seconds.

These numbers are encouraging and I must commend Florida and San Carlos Park Fire District’s Fire Prevention staff for their work towards reducing the number of fires that occur in our great state.  Education and inspection have led to smoke alarms being present in 37 percent of reported structure fires with 51 percent of those operational. Unfortunately, 42 percent of the structure fires did not have a smoke alarm present.  Please remember, not all fires are preventable but a working smoke alarm can alert you in time to save your life and the lives of the ones you hold most dear.  Take the time this month, and each month thereafter to assure your smoke alarm is in working order.  If you need assistance installing or checking smoke alarms in your home please contact San Carlos Park Fire District at 239-267-7525.

Sign up today for the 1st Annual Brotherhood Ride Poker Tournament! Visit the link below for registration information:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-brotherhood-ride-poker-tournament-tickets-53446867018

REGISTRATION INCLUDES:

-Entry into poker tournament

-Meal provided by Mission BBQ

-Beverage

*$1,000 CASH PRIZE FOR 1ST PLACE!!!! There are also some great raffle prizes and silent auction items. Some of those will be Dinner at the Firehouse, Shooting with the Sheriff, Florida Everblades tickets, golf for four at several different course from Cape Coral to Naples, Wine Tasting, and many other gift certificates!

All proceeds raised from the Poker Tournament will go directly to the families of the fallen.

The Brotherhood Ride is a team made up of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical personnel, who ride bicycles to honor those who have died the past year in the line of duty. They ride on or near the anniversary of their death to show the families, friends, coworkers, and community that they will never be forgotten.

The team has traveled on bicycles over 8,000 miles, through sixteen states, have been hosted by over forty Elks Lodges nationwide and assisted by countless emergency first responders who have shown the true meaning of Brotherhood.

Through year-round fundraising efforts, the Brotherhood Ride has been able to honor the memory of fallen heroes and provide emotional and financial support to their families. Past Brotherhood Rides, they have honored their fallen brothers and sisters from SC, TX, NY, FL, TN, VA, PA, NJ, CT and MA and are very proud to have donated over $400,000.00 to the families left behind.

In 2019 the team will be riding for their local fallen heroes, Camelo Jr. and Jobbers-Miller, so it hits very close to home and we’d like to raise all of the funds we can for their families and unfortunately many more.

2018 San Carlos Park Fire District Secret Santa Program
Assisting the FIRST 40 families

NO HOLDING PLACES IN LINE, MUST BE IN LINE IN PERSON

Registration Day: November 16, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.

What to bring:
Photo ID
Proof of residence in the San Carlos Park Fire District
Proof of birthdate for each child

Gifts will only be provided for children 16 years and under.
(No gaming systems or computers)

The San Carlos Park Fire District introduced the newest member of its fleet- Engine 52, a 2018 Pierce Velocity Pumper on July 28th during a Push-In Ceremony, a fire service tradition dating back nearly 200 years.

The Push-In ritual dates back to the 1800’s when horse drawn pumpers were used throughout the nation’s Fire Service. Horses commissioned for service would be washed along with the pumper at their newly assigned firehouse and backed into the firehouse bay. The firefighters would then fit the new horse with its harness placing the company in service. After every run, firefighters had to hand push their pumpers back into the bay and ready themselves for the next alarm.

For those needing  information on the Annual San Carlos Park 4th of July Parade please contact Bonnie Jasper at 239-878-7624. Thank you.

The parade will be held on July 4th at 8:30 am and leave from the Sunshine Ace Hardware Plaza traveling up Sanibel Blvd. It is truly great to celebrate our nation’s independence with those we serve.  The parade route is pictured below. We hope to see you there!

The 2017 San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service District Annual Report is now available online!

Follow the link below to view a summary of 2017’s services and highlights.

2017 Annual Report

You’ll find great information about your Fire District including budget, vitals, and the stations serving you.

Recently a resident of our fire district lost their home to a brushfire. While we will do our absolute best to preserve your property during the event of a brushfire, there are steps you can take before fire strikes that will allow us to better defend your home. Let’s take a quick look together at how to create defensible space around your home. We recommend keeping your property lean, clean, and green. What does that mean?

Maintaining a lean, clean, and green landscape within 30 feet of a structure can make a significant difference in whether it survives a brushfire. The important thing is that action must be taken before fire threatens.

Lean — small amounts of flammable vegetation
Clean — no accumulations of dead vegetation
Green — plants are healthy and green; lawn is well irrigated

Reducing fuel within the defensible space means creating a landscape that breaks up the continuity of brush and other vegetation that could bring fire in contact with any flammable portion of the structure.

This may involve:
Eliminating any flammable vegetation in contact with the structure
Thinning out trees and shrubs so there is 10 to 15 feet between the tree crowns
Pruning tree limbs to a height of 6 to 10 feet
Replacing highly flammable landscape material with plant materials having a higher water content
Replacing flammable mulch adjacent to the structure with gravel or rock
Eliminating “ladder fuels” near the structure that might carry a surface fire to the roof or eaves

Fire is a natural part of our Florida ecosystems. It is not a matter of if we are going to have brushfires, but when will we have brushfires and at what intensity. Homeowners must assume a major role in brushfire protection by taking action to reduce the ignitability of their homes before the threat of a fire.

We are proud to announce Firefighter Mark Martine was recently awarded the District Medal of Courage and Award of Merit for involvement in an act of Bravery.

On May 19th, 2017 while off duty Firefighter Martine was traveling south through Georgia. While driving he observed smoke ahead rising above the trees. As he crested the hill he noticed a crashed RV resting on its passenger side and on fire. Martine along with about a half a dozen other motorists stopped to help assist with the crash.

Though he had no personal protective equipment Firefighter Martine knew there were people inside the crashed RV, and acted as any true hero would, without concern for his own safety. Firefighter Martine kicked in the top of the RV bunk area above the cab to free a male occupant from the burning RV. He then assisted an officer on-scene to pull the female occupant, who was on fire at the time, free from the wreckage. During this incident Firefighter Martine suffered minor burns and lacerations. The male passenger was treated for minor injuries and released. Unfortunately, the female passenger succumb to her injuries days later.

Firefighter Martine was also awarded the Commissioner’s Citation for Distinguished Service by the Georgia Department of Public Safety for his life saving actions that day. We are incredibly proud to serve alongside Firefighter Martine and are continually impressed by his dedication to public safety both on and off duty. Congratulations Firefighter Martine!

San Carlos Park Fire District will continue a more than 30 year tradition this year with our Annual Secret Santa Program. Each year friends, neighbors, and your local fire district join together to collect toys to wrap and distribute to members of our community who need assistance.

This year, 36 needy families with a total of 104 children have been selected to receive gifts and a holiday dinner. Those interested in donating to the program may drop off new, unwrapped gifts at any of our fire stations. Thank you for your assistance in assuring each of our citizens have a happy holidays!