Mini-CERT Training Session
The mini-CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training on 3.25.19 was amazing! Nearly 2 hours of hands-on learning including how to use a fire extinguisher, how to perform CPR and how to pack a wound and or apply a tourniquet. The Charlotte County team was top-rate, and everyone who attended were glad that they did. Don't miss it next time!
INFO- CENTRAL PRESENTS:
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?
Tuesday Nov 13th 9AM to 1PM @ Resort Clubhouse
Be Informed
Plan Ahead
Take Action
Ellen Pinder Charlotte County’s Coordinator for Emergency Management
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?
Tuesday Nov 13th 9AM to 1PM @ Resort Clubhouse
Be Informed
Plan Ahead
Take Action
Ellen Pinder Charlotte County’s Coordinator for Emergency Management
Medical Emergency?
How to perform CPR when someone is having a heart attack.
How to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
Stroke? How do you know. What do you do?
Basic First aide.
Someone's fallen down? Not breathing? Chest pain? How to stop the Bleeding? CPR-Compression? Nearest AED? Patients Medical History?
Fire Emergency? Do you live Alone? Gaining Access to your Home?
911 Calls? Should you go to the Firehouse first or call 911? What is your exact address on Island? Are family and rental guests informed? Calling 911- which is better to use, a cell phone or landline?
How to perform CPR when someone is having a heart attack.
How to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
Stroke? How do you know. What do you do?
Basic First aide.
Someone's fallen down? Not breathing? Chest pain? How to stop the Bleeding? CPR-Compression? Nearest AED? Patients Medical History?
Fire Emergency? Do you live Alone? Gaining Access to your Home?
911 Calls? Should you go to the Firehouse first or call 911? What is your exact address on Island? Are family and rental guests informed? Calling 911- which is better to use, a cell phone or landline?
Learn from the Experts:
As recommended by our Fire Chief
Bill Van Helden
As recommended by our Fire Chief
Bill Van Helden
Ellen Pinder
CERT leader (Community Emergency Response Teams).
Coordinator and Mitigation Planner for Charlotte County Emergency Management.
Tuesday November 13th 9-1pm @Resort Clubhouse
CERT leader (Community Emergency Response Teams).
Coordinator and Mitigation Planner for Charlotte County Emergency Management.
Tuesday November 13th 9-1pm @Resort Clubhouse
Recap of PIE’s Info Central Meeting - April 25, 2018
Palm Island Clubhouse
On April 25th representatives from Three Charlotte County Departments made presentations to a very large and receptive audience. This Seminar was sponsored by PIE’s Info- Central Committee. Thank you to Barbara DeYulio, Lou Ellen Wilson, Dave Mulvaney, Sally B Johnson and the Palm Island Resort.
Ellen Pinder – Charlotte County Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTS).
This program offers training to Charlotte County Residents in the following areas:
will provide free of charge training on the island provided we have a minimum of 15 participants.
Go to their website: charlottecountycert@gmail.com for full information regarding this program.
She urged everyone to sign up for Alert Charlotte – which provides accurate information regarding storms/fires, etc. that will affect our island – local TV stations give information for areas that could be several miles away.
Dee Hawkins – Charlotte County Fire & EMS – reviewed programs available to Charlotte County Residents
When calling 911 – use landline if available – their system will show the location immediately. If calling from a cell phone be sure to give the correct full STREET address – do not say Palm or Gulf Blvd make sure you identify it as Palm Drive and Gulf Blvd North, etc. Within Charlotte County there are several streets with the name Palm or Gulf, etc. Also identify that you are on Palm Island Resort, Don Pedro, or Knight Island -
Stressed: DO NOT DRIVE TO FIRE STATION OR BARGE – wait for EMS personnel to come to the address given. DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE FIRE STATION. Call 911, fire station personnel could be on another call, doing island inspections, etc.
Texting available – however use only when unable to talk – one example: a home invasion and you are hiding in a closet.
Magic Jack phone systems MUST have your FL address.
NON EMERGENCY TELEPHONE #: (941) 639-0013
Regarding 911 Calls
Rescue 14 gets called first because they have the ambulance which will transport you to a medical facility. The 911 operators will also inform station #10 and they will be contacted on every call regarding our Island. They will administer to you while the ambulance is enroute. Only the ambulance can transport you.
If you go to Fire Station #10, and knock on the door, they still have to call for the ambulance( Rescue 14) and precious time is wasted. CALL 911. They emphasized that we should not hesitate to make a 911 call. When in doubt….CALL. They will evaluate your situation and if you don’t need to be transported by ambulance you may decide that someone drive you. They are here to help us any way they can, but call 911 first.
Be specific as to your address: Street number, Street name, Knight Island, Don Pedro Island, Palm Island Resort. Palm Island Resort is located on Knight Island. You can also say Station #10 is on Island.
In An Emergency your address information needs to be clearly posted in your home for friends and family.
Palm Island Clubhouse
On April 25th representatives from Three Charlotte County Departments made presentations to a very large and receptive audience. This Seminar was sponsored by PIE’s Info- Central Committee. Thank you to Barbara DeYulio, Lou Ellen Wilson, Dave Mulvaney, Sally B Johnson and the Palm Island Resort.
Ellen Pinder – Charlotte County Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTS).
This program offers training to Charlotte County Residents in the following areas:
- What to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate service
- Training in lifesaving skills with emphasis on Disaster Preparedness, proper use of fire extinguishers, rescuer safety, light search and rescue and doing the greatest good for the greatest number as well as first aid including stopping a bleed out, how to recognize stroke and heart attack victims, etc..
will provide free of charge training on the island provided we have a minimum of 15 participants.
Go to their website: charlottecountycert@gmail.com for full information regarding this program.
She urged everyone to sign up for Alert Charlotte – which provides accurate information regarding storms/fires, etc. that will affect our island – local TV stations give information for areas that could be several miles away.
Dee Hawkins – Charlotte County Fire & EMS – reviewed programs available to Charlotte County Residents
- Red Dot Medical Information Program – A Red Dot is placed above the exterior of your entry door just above your door knob to alert EMS/Fire responders that medical information is in a “red packet” on the refrigerator door. Also information is recorded in the County 911 database, so it is available to the responders prior to arriving at the scene and also to Emergency Room personnel. The red pouches are available to have in golf carts and/or vehicles. Red Dot sign up packets are available at the island fire station or online: Red Dot Program or call (941) 833-5600.
- Knox Home Box: Keys to the home are placed in the Knox Box and EMS/Fire Rescue have the master key – saves valuable time in case nobody can answer the door and/or not at home in case of fire. More information: on line www.KnoxHomeBox.com or call (855)438-5669.
- Save Our Pet Stickers: Place near the front door to alert responding personnel that a pet is in the house. If no one is available to care for your pets, Animal Control will be notified and will provide the proper assistance to the pet’s owner for the care of the animal until the owner is capable to arrange for the pet’s care. “Save Our Pet” stickers cost $3. 941-86-33-5600
- Reflective Address Markers: Charlotte County Fire & EMS will provide reflective address markers to be placed on your property so they are clearly visible from the street. Cost $25 Installation is free. 941-833-5600
- Safety Tips: For more information on all programs on line: Charlotte County Emergency Mgmt. or call (941)833-5600.
- Flicker of Life –Helps emergency workers find their way to your door. Light is used in a normal way but when you have an emergency you turn the light switch off and then back on, this will cause the light to flash on and off for 20 minutes. 941-833-5600
- Replace all Smoke/Fire alarms in the home after ten years even if they test okay. Local Fire personnel are available to assist you with replacement of alarms/batteries provided it does not require electrical work. To arrange an appointment call headquarters (941)833-5600. (do not contact local fire station personnel)
- Sprinkler Systems – recommend owner review the owner manual or contact manufacturer representative for testing requirements. All systems are different.
- AED – ( Automated External Defibrillator) Ensure that locations of AEDs on the island are identified. Also recommended that several be placed on homes throughout the island and locations communicated to all residents.
- Emergency Procedures: Recommended that all homes and rental properties have an emergency procedure information sheet – readily available in the home (inside cabinet door one possibility) with the correct street address, location of fire extinguishers, etc. Also recommended in all home for use by visitors.
When calling 911 – use landline if available – their system will show the location immediately. If calling from a cell phone be sure to give the correct full STREET address – do not say Palm or Gulf Blvd make sure you identify it as Palm Drive and Gulf Blvd North, etc. Within Charlotte County there are several streets with the name Palm or Gulf, etc. Also identify that you are on Palm Island Resort, Don Pedro, or Knight Island -
Stressed: DO NOT DRIVE TO FIRE STATION OR BARGE – wait for EMS personnel to come to the address given. DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE FIRE STATION. Call 911, fire station personnel could be on another call, doing island inspections, etc.
Texting available – however use only when unable to talk – one example: a home invasion and you are hiding in a closet.
Magic Jack phone systems MUST have your FL address.
NON EMERGENCY TELEPHONE #: (941) 639-0013
Regarding 911 Calls
Rescue 14 gets called first because they have the ambulance which will transport you to a medical facility. The 911 operators will also inform station #10 and they will be contacted on every call regarding our Island. They will administer to you while the ambulance is enroute. Only the ambulance can transport you.
If you go to Fire Station #10, and knock on the door, they still have to call for the ambulance( Rescue 14) and precious time is wasted. CALL 911. They emphasized that we should not hesitate to make a 911 call. When in doubt….CALL. They will evaluate your situation and if you don’t need to be transported by ambulance you may decide that someone drive you. They are here to help us any way they can, but call 911 first.
Be specific as to your address: Street number, Street name, Knight Island, Don Pedro Island, Palm Island Resort. Palm Island Resort is located on Knight Island. You can also say Station #10 is on Island.
In An Emergency your address information needs to be clearly posted in your home for friends and family.
Wednesday, April 25th @ 1:00pm - Palm Island Resort Clubhouse
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?
Medical Emergency? Someone's fallen down? Not breathing? Chest pain? Stop the Bleeding? CPR-Compression? Nearest AED? Patients Medical History?
Fire Emergency? Do you live Alone? Gaining Access to your Home? TOT Finders? Are there Pets? Smoke alarms? Fire Suppression Systems?
Hurricane Evacuation Information? Secure our homes? Where are Shelters? When to leave? How to assist others? Emergency Apps? Alert Charlotte? 211? Web site?
911 Calls? Should you just go to Station 10? What is your exact address on Island? Does Your family know what to say on a 911 call?
WE HAVE THE ANSWERS! "Ask the Experts" as recommended by our Fire Chief Bill Van Helden.
Dee Hawkins - Fire and EMS Public Information Officer for Charlotte County
Ellen Pinder - CERT leader (Community Emergency Response Teams)
Coordinator and Mitigation Planner for Charlotte County Emergency Management.
911 Coordinator - Do 911 calls pinpoint your location? Cell phones? How to best inform 911 of your on-Island Emergency Location.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?
Medical Emergency? Someone's fallen down? Not breathing? Chest pain? Stop the Bleeding? CPR-Compression? Nearest AED? Patients Medical History?
Fire Emergency? Do you live Alone? Gaining Access to your Home? TOT Finders? Are there Pets? Smoke alarms? Fire Suppression Systems?
Hurricane Evacuation Information? Secure our homes? Where are Shelters? When to leave? How to assist others? Emergency Apps? Alert Charlotte? 211? Web site?
911 Calls? Should you just go to Station 10? What is your exact address on Island? Does Your family know what to say on a 911 call?
WE HAVE THE ANSWERS! "Ask the Experts" as recommended by our Fire Chief Bill Van Helden.
Dee Hawkins - Fire and EMS Public Information Officer for Charlotte County
Ellen Pinder - CERT leader (Community Emergency Response Teams)
Coordinator and Mitigation Planner for Charlotte County Emergency Management.
911 Coordinator - Do 911 calls pinpoint your location? Cell phones? How to best inform 911 of your on-Island Emergency Location.
Recap of Meeting Regarding Fire Service on the Island
February 14, 2018 Reported by Sally Johnson
Info Central Guest Speaker: Bill Van Helden, Fire Chief
FACTS:
New Fire Station
ISO Ratings
February 14, 2018 Reported by Sally Johnson
Info Central Guest Speaker: Bill Van Helden, Fire Chief
FACTS:
New Fire Station
- Location: Facility Management Director Dave Milligan has not yet defined where the new location may be. Chief stated they prefer it be north of the bridge and have water access. They cannot use the current building and location because not enough property to accommodate the requirements of the new station and not cost effective (nearly impossible) to retrofit the building to meet current codes, including ADA, wind, space etc.
- Design/Size: Ideally will be two story (tilt wall construction); will be able to accommodate up to six firemen/paramedics when emergency situations demand, have a meeting room that can be used as triage facility (Casualty Collection Area) in case of emergency; accessible to water and have capabilities of docking new fire boat. Residents may be able to use community room (will have to wait for approval after building is complete). Designed to be used during Tropical Storms; not hurricanes.
- Estimated Time Frame: Expect to take 2-1/2 yrs. However, depends on approvals from all the governmental agencies including FEMA, Corp of Engineers, etc. With no undue delays should be ready in 2019.
- Cost: 3.6 Million to be funded thru the Charlotte County Capital Improvement Fund – no additional cost to the island residents. Purchase of land is included in the cost estimates.
- Current Location: Too early to determine what will be done with current location/building.
- New Fire Boat has been purchased just waiting for Coast Guard approval. It has twin inboard diesels with jet drive and can pump 1250 gallons per minute.
ISO Ratings
- Fire Chief stated in his opinion there is nothing that the residents can do to lower the ISO rating even if the number of full time personnel was increased to 4 and increased the water pressure – the rating is determined by the insurance companies and because this is an island, insurance industry relies very heavily on time it would take to get personnel and equipment to the emergency. Stated that even if barge ran 24/7 it would not affect the rating because of time to load equipment on and off barge.
- Staffing: Current budget for 2019 is approximately $600,000 for two personnel, four personnel would increase the cost to $1,200,000 which would be paid for by the residents. Current salaries are based on the average pay for fire fighters throughout the entire county, not actual costs of current employees. Also, we are not charged for administrative fees. Current federal law states in order to fight a fire there must be a minimum of four personnel on site (some fires could require 18 or more), two inside the structure and two outside; however in case of personal safety – they can enter the structure with only two available, and can also begin fighting the fire from the exterior. Fire Chief stated that as soon as a call comes in it not only goes to the Island Station it goes to the nearest fire station and their equipment/personnel are dispatched immediately.
- Water Pressure – representative from Bocilla Utilities (Eileen Montanez) was at the meeting and agreed that they would work with the Fire Department to test the flow rate on our hydrants – meeting to be set up to arrange a time.
- Dry Hydrants – stated they are very difficult to work with and would not affect rating.