Island emergency group meets to prepare for storms
The island Emergency Operations group met at the Boca Grande Fire Department on Thursday morning, July 24 to go through updates and procedures for peak hurricane season.
Since Hurricane Ian, and through last hurricane season, the BGFD has made significant changes to improve emergency communication and operations, including increasing staffing levels, Chief C.W. Blosser said at the meeting.
“We’re sitting really good,” Blosser said.
Community leaders from many island groups were in attendance, including representatives for the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority (GIBA), the Gasparilla Island Water Association, Lee County Sheriff’s Department and the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce.
One of the lessons the fire department learned from Hurricanes Helene and Milton was to take department trucks and equipment off island earlier and keep them off island longer to better preserve the expensive equipment.
In order to support this goal, the department is having an old Florida Power and Light truck built out to use as a high-water truck during storms, Blosser said.
“It will become the ‘sacrificial lamb’ to do the heavy work post-storm,” he said. “It costs a fraction of what the normal apparatuses cost.”
The damage to the station from last hurricane season was minimal, Blosser said; however, they are looking at ways to potentially waterproof the bay as it took on 20 inches of salt water last fall.
The Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOM) system has recently been tested for any upcoming storm events, and a signal was able to be transmitted 22 miles off island. Additionally, the station now has a Starlink internet connection.
Hurricane tags are also being distributed, but a change this season is that following a storm, anyone meeting the requirements for a tag — island property or business openers — may apply for an electronic temporary pass through the BGFD app. Remember to apply for hurricane tags now, don’t wait. The app, which has been in the works since Hurricane Ian, will also be used to get information out during a storm.
The Bridge Authority is set to begin Causeway armoring in three weeks, estimated to be completed by Nov. 1. Armoring will utilize marine mattresses and boulders to strengthen the bridge for future storms.
“There shouldn’t be too many delays,” said GIBA’s executive director Kathy Banson, of the roadwork.
Additionally, sandbags are available now. Sand is also available at Wheeler Community Park. Last season, the department distributed about 10,000 sandbags.
Lee and Charlotte counties working together is paramount to better solutions according to those in attendance at the meeting.
“There’s a million things we’re doing,” Blosser said. “Every day is a new adventure.”
Upcoming editions of the Beacon will detail storm preparation tips.
Text “BGFDAPP” to (844) 745-4513 to receive the BGFD app on your phone.
