provided to The Santiva Chronicle
After more than five feet of water rendered Sanibel Fire Station 172 uninhabitable in the wake of Hurricane Ian, the Sanibel Fire Rescue District was able to purchase a temporary, portable structure for emergency operations. Local leaders joined the SFRD Friday, March 3 at the station on Sanibel Captiva Road, near Bowman’s Beach Road, for a celebratory ribbon cutting with the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce.
Local leaders joined the Sanibel Fire & Rescue District last week in celebrating the reopening of Station 172 on Sanibel Captiva Road, near Bowman’s Beach. The fire station was rendered uninhabitable after taking on five feet of water from Hurricane Ian’s devastating storm surge. The trailer will serve as the temporary fire station for the area. SC photos by Shannen Hayes
The temporary structure will house three firefighters and emergency support equipment until the permanent fire house can be rebuilt, which is expected to take up to two years to complete, says Capt. John DiMaria.
“We are beyond excited as a fire district to be able to reestablish our coverage area and respond in a much faster time to our citizens who may be in need,” he said. “We are grateful for all the support of our community during these trying times and look forward to providing assistance to those who may be in need. The chamber has been a staple on this island for many years and has been instrumental with the establishment of many of our island businesses.”
“We all breathe easier knowing our first responders are available and accommodated as Sanibel Island gets back on its proverbial feet,” said John Lai, chamber president and CEO. “We salute and thank the Sanibel Fire District for all it did immediately following the hurricane to assist survivors, and all it has done through the decades.”
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