WEEk of octobEr 4, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
Island minister Hafer now permanent pastor at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 47, NumbEr 22
M/PIFCD launches much-awaited ALS By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Getting Advanced Life Support (ALS) capacity in the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District has been a plan long in the works, according to Pine Island Fire Chief Ben Mickuleit and Assistant EMS Chief Cody Allen. “As of Sept. 22, 2023, our department is able to provide Advanced Life Support Services to the residents and visitors of the district,” Allen said. Essentially what this means, he
MCA host Ian remembrance ceremony at RE/MAX Sunshine office The Matlacha Civic Association held a well-attended, emotional Ian Remembrance ceremony at the RE/MAX Sunshine office Thursday, Sept. 28. MCA board member Carol Scott described the event as a beautiful turnout. Organization for the event started back in May, said Scott, as the MCA wanted to carefully plan for anyone who cared to be present. The list of invitees went from Honc Industries, to Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Scott said, adding that although the governor couldn’t be there due to the Republican presidential primary debate Wednesday night, his represenSee IAN REMEMBRANCE, page 18 Luminaries fill the stairs at the RE/MAX Sunshine office in Matlacha for the Ian Remembrance Service Thursday. PHOTO BY CAROL SCOTT
“Basically, when people call 9-1-1, just like before, our fire trucks and the ambulance are going to respond, wherever they’re located. The difference is that now our crews are able to perform higher levels of care because of this new designation.” — Assistant EMS Chief Cody Allen explained, is that the department has providers with higher levels of training in both the medications they carry and procedures they can perform during emergencies throughout the district. Obtaining
the ALS credentials required many of the staff to attend school for education in paramedics (approximately 18 months), as well as training in necessary equipment and medications, to meet Department of
Health guidelines. All the support equipment and medications will now be on the engines with the staff allowing firefighters to come to action on any house call emergency. “Basically, when people call 9-1-1, just like before, our fire trucks and the ambulance are going to respond, wherever they’re located. The difference is that now our crews are able to perform higher levels of care because of this new desigSee ALS, page 10
GPIA holds benefit for islanders at Wicked Dolphin Distillery in Cape By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
The Greater Pine Island Alliance held a fundraiser at the Wicked Dolphin Distillery in Cape Coral Saturday to benefit islanders who have been -- and still are -- affected by Hurricane Ian. Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, who is personally responsible for the financial aid of a Pine Island family displaced by Hurricane Ian, attended the event saying he’s always happy to help Greater Pine Island. “This organization has really done an awful lot to help the island recover, so anything I can do to support the cause and try to be here to support them, I’m happy to do,” Ruane said. GPIA Executive Director Erin LollarLambert said the amount of support for Pine Island from mainlanders never ceases to amaze her. “Just watching how Wicked Dolphin put this on for us, and the support of our external community means we have a much bigger extended family then we See BENEFIT, page 18
Athlete of the Week.........20 Dolphin Tales.....................6 Lee Health..........................9 insidetoday Cat of the Week.................7 Island Mahjongg...............9 On the Water....................17 Classifieds & Obituaries