provided to The Santiva Chronicle
FISH of SanCap will recognize National First Responders Day on Oct. 28 by thanking the first responders who serve Sanibel and Captiva and work with FISH year-round.
FISH’s relationship with local first responders is built through year-round collaboration. The organization works with local fire and law enforcement agencies through community events, resiliency and preparedness efforts, educational programs, and individual client situations where coordination can help connect a neighbor with the right support.
FISH works year-round with local fire and law enforcement agencies through community events, resiliency and preparedness efforts, educational programs, and individual client situations where coordination can help connect a neighbor with the right support.
First responders also regularly take part in FISH community programs and events. This summer, local agencies joined FISH and community partners for the annual Back-to-School distribution, which served more than 400 students and their families. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office provided ice cream. At the same time, Sanibel Fire & Rescue and other community partners spent time with families. It helped make the event an opportunity for children to connect with the people who serve their community.
That same relationship carries into FISH resiliency and preparedness work. First responders participate in community awareness efforts, share information and expertise, and help residents better understand how to prepare before an emergency occurs. FISH also works with responders when individual client circumstances require coordination, helping connect residents and workforce members with services, information, or other resources.
“First responders see our community from a perspective that is very different from ours, and that makes them an important part of the network of support on the islands,” said
Maria Espinoza, FISH Executive Director. “They may encounter someone who is struggling or needs help and know they can reach out to FISH. In the same way, our team knows who to call when a situation requires their expertise. That trust and communication help all of us better serve our neighbors.”
During hurricanes and other emergencies, coordination becomes especially important. After Hurricane Ian and during Hurricanes Helene and Milton, FISH worked with first responders, local government, emergency management agencies, and community organizations to provide food, supplies, information, recovery assistance, and other support to residents and island workers.
FISH has served as a United Way House since 2009 and a United Way Resiliency Hub since 2024, supporting this year-round approach. During blue skies, FISH provides everyday programs including food assistance, senior services, financial assistance, education, transportation, and community resiliency programming. During grey skies, established partnerships help FISH and other organizations respond quickly as community needs change.
National First Responders Day recognizes police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, and others who serve communities during emergencies and every day. For FISH, Oct. 28 is a chance to thank the Sanibel Police Department, Sanibel Fire & Rescue District, Captiva Island Fire Control District, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the many emergency personnel and public safety partners who work with the organization and serve the islands year-round.
“Neighbors helping neighbors is about people looking out for one another,” Espinoza said. “Our first responders do that every day, whether they are helping someone through an emergency, sharing information that keeps our community safer, or working with FISH to connect a neighbor with support. We are grateful for their service, and for the partnership we share throughout the year.”
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