by SC Features Writer Reanna Haase
Those who know Kevin Barbot say he was exactly who Sanibel needed after Hurricane Ian struck the island with category four force and an over 20-foot storm surge in late September 2022. Barbot showed his dedication to the island community by jumping in without question to help restore it.
“He and I were some of the first couple of people on the island after Ian,” said Assistant Fire Chief Chris Jackson. “He went right to the public works [department] and literally started driving a front-end loader down Periwinkle to move debris out of the way… [He was] the right person, in the right place, at the right time.”
Barbot, a career-long firefighter, was sworn in as the fire chief at 38 years old, just short of two weeks after the initial impact of Ian – a remarkable time to earn the role he had spent almost two decades preparing for.
“He just springs into action, so for him to then step into that leadership role, it was like everything in his timeline led up to this,” Sarah, his wife, said. “What a wild time for someone to take charge, and he’s done it so beautifully. I’m so proud of him.”
Kevin says he treasures the island, not simply for its paradise-like qualities but because of the people in the community who ensure it remains a special place, unlike anywhere else.
“The number one thing for me is how tight and how close our community truly is,” he said. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and that is, in my opinion, what makes us special – it’s the people in the community that want to be involved and want to make sure Sanibel stays Sanibel.”
Kevin moved to Southwest Florida from France in 1994, at the age of nine, with his family and has called the area his home ever since. Shortly after graduating high school, he met his now-bride when she moved in across the street. At 19 years old, the couple got married, and together, they raised three children in Southwest Florida.
Not only did meeting Sarah change his life on a personal level, but their union also led him to discover his true passion. Over 20 years ago, his father-in-law, who is still a firefighter in Fort Myers, introduced him to the world of fire and rescue, and he has not looked back since.
“I started hanging around the fire station and said, ‘Hey, maybe I could do this,” he said. “So, I went to school, and I immediately fell in love with it.”
After he finished fire school, he began his career in fire and rescue at the Punta Gorda Fire Department before transferring to the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District. He was introduced to the island 15 years ago when he joined Sanibel Fire & Rescue in 2010.
He has worked his way through the leadership ranks, consistently aligning his goals with the community’s broader objectives of collective progress and sustainable development.
“There’s a tight, core group that just wants nothing but success and positivity,” he said. “They want to make sure that the businesses, the local governments, and the not-for-profits all work together, and in my opinion, that is one of the most special things about our community.”
Sarah said that her husband’s passion for the island shines through, and his work ethic inspires others to do more.
“I feel like you can’t really know him and not desire to level up,” she said. “He really does inspire people, and it’s funny because the ones that have been around a long time will say that he’s always been this way.”
Sarah shared that ever since he began his career, he has always sought ways to fill his days off and explore various business endeavors to fuel his entrepreneurial drive.
“I’ve always been analytical. I have always had businesses on the side throughout my fire service career,” Kevin said. “And running a fire district, you’re really running a business.”
Together, the couple has operated a dumpster rental business for just over half a decade, along with other past companies, such as a print shop, which they ran for a short time.
“It’s wild how these two things came together because it just embodies everything he is,” Sarah said.
Those who work with Kevin at the district are also no strangers to his go-getter mindset. Assistant Chief Jackson shared that together, they are always working to improve the community through projects such as the reconstruction of both the Bowman’s Beach fire station and Station 171 on Palm Ridge Road.
“As positive as I can say it, it’s non-stop. We’re constantly, even on our days off, talking to the site superintendent, the construction company, or the architects. There’s just always things going on,” Jackson said. “The people out here, on this island, depend on us, and we try to provide them with the best possible service that we can provide.”
Kevin attributes a large part of the district’s success to the petitioning the administrative team has done for their community at the state and federal level – since Hurricane Ian, they have managed to bring almost $20 million in funding back to Sanibel to keep money in the pockets of Sanibel residents.
“It’s really been successful. It’s been a lot of work. It’s been a lot of trips to Tallahassee, working with politicians, working with Federal staff, but it’s paying off,” he said. “I think if more of the public knew how hard we’re fighting for them, I think they’d be pretty pleased.”
Jackson said that without Kevin, “we would not have accomplished half of the stuff that we have gotten done.”
These efforts reflect Kevin’s longstanding commitment to the island, a dedication that goes beyond his professional responsibilities. More than just a professional role, Sarah views her husband’s appointment as the culmination of all of his hard work.
“His brain is beautiful, and his heart is the same. He is a rarity,” Sarah said. “What he’s done in such a short time – there is no doubt in my mind that this is his time.”
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