911
operators
are
trained
to
handle
calls
for
fire,
medical,
and
police
emergencies.
Listen
to and
answer
all
questions
asked.
Be ready
to
provide
your
address.
(Unlike
land
lines,
cell
calls do
not
provide
an
address
to 911
operators.)
After
placing
the
call, if
possible,
send
someone
outside
to watch
for and
flag
responders.
For fire
or
medical,
911:
·
Sets off
siren at
Fire
House to
alert
Island
volunteers
·
Notifies
Mainland
Fire and
EMS
units
·
Notifies
Ferry
Captain
Fire
House
volunteers
have
keys and
codes to
island
gates
and
cutters
to get
in, if
necessary.
Under
the
jurisdiction
of
Charlotte
County,
the
island
Fire
Station
has all
the
basic
First
Aid
Equipment
(automated
defibrillators,
oxygen,
etc.)
that
mainland
stations
have.
Volunteers
have
completed
a
160-hour
course
and
taken a
state
exam and
follow
the same
rules
and
procedures
as
mainland
personnel.
In
addition
to
mainland
responders,
Fire
House
volunteers
also go
to the
scene.
From the
time the
siren
goes
off,
average
response
time is
seven
minutes.
Volunteers
have the
authority
to bring
in
helicopters.
(Closest
helicopters
are from
Lee
County
and
Sarasota
County
can take
approx
30
minutes
and land
at the
Ferry
Landing.)
After
Hours
(when
ferry is
not
running),
all
operates
the
same,
except:
·
Dispatchers
use a
“call
list” to
bring in
ferry
captains.
·
Sheriff’s
Deputies
have
boats to
get to
the
island
directly.
___________________________________
OTHER
INFORMATION:
To assist emergency responders...
 |
Keep the telephone line clear after the 9-1-1 call is made.
|
|
Make sure your address can be seen from the street.
|
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Secure your pets, especially all dogs.
|
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Any obstacles in front of entrance doors hinder stretcher and/or hose lines.
|
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If possible, move vehicles from in front of entrance doorways to aid access.
|
In case
of Fire...
Give important information to the first arriving emergency unit. For example:
|
Is anyone still inside the structure? (This includes pets.)
|
|
Where is the fire located within the structure?
|
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Where are utilities located, such as electrical panels and gas valves?
|
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Include any information on peculiar aspects of the structure.
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Medical
emergencies...
|
Have all pertinent information available to the arriving paramedics such as, a list of all medications, medical history and doctors name.
|
|
If possible, have all medications in a bag in case they need to be taken to the hospital with the patient.
|
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Family members can only ride to the hospital in the front of the rescue vehicle after signing a liability waiver. The officer or paramedic in charge may disallow this for any reason if it is deemed in the patient's best interest.
|
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When following a rescue to the hospital please do not follow at the same pace or close behind the emergency vehicle. Many vehicles do not give the right of way to the rescue causing the unit to make sudden stops.
|
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The paramedic may speak loudly so that co-workers can also hear, or he may respond in an abrupt manner. Please do not misunderstand these actions to be rude or uncaring. There will be situations where the information that you provide needs to be short and basic so that rapid treatment can be given.
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OUR FIRE
AND RESCUE TEAM
Charlotte County Station 10 is a volunteer fire station. It is funded by a special taxing unit called MFD3 Barrier Islands Fire Service. This is a special taxing unit particular to Knight and Don Pedro Island. Monies collected are spent on the fire station and its associated services –equipment replacement, maintenance and other fire brigade needs.
Wendy Dalzell and Jay Julian are Co-Captains of the Volunteer Team. There are 8 certified First Responders on a team of 10 volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Charlotte County Chief Didio for an application at 941-743-1368.
When you call 911, the Island Alarm sounds. First responders check in to the station and are dispatched until the County sends its Team.
