Town proclaims Saturday as Heart Awareness Day
The Town of Fort Myers Beach and Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District are joining forces to fight cardiovascular disease.
The two Beach taxing districts officially declared the second Saturday of February as Fort Myers Beach Heart Disease Awareness Day through a proclamation at Town Hall Monday morning.
The document to designate the special day was read into the records and invited all residents and visitors to join in a pledge to raise awareness in the prevention of heart disease by screening and education.
Lt. Ronald Martin, Chief Mike Becker and Assistant Chief Darren White represented the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District. Martin expressed gratitude to the Council and Town staff for efforts in this endeavor.
“Thank you for your support and commitment to the community in fighting this common malady that affects so many and touches our lives everyday,” he said.
Fire officials will hold the inaugural FMB Heart Disease Awareness Day at Times Square this Saturday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lt. Martin will be joined by FMB Fire Medical Officer Lt. Randy Kraus and HeathPark Cardiac Care Unit representatives to conduct a public outreach program to increase awareness of heart disease prevention, screening and public CPR. Members of the Beach Community Emergency Response Team will also be involved.
“We’ll be out there talking to the public, handing out some informational literature and hopefully ambulance crews will be doing blood pressure screenings,” said Lt. Martin. “I am going to try to incorporate some hands-only CPR interactive demonstrations.”
On Jan. 14, local fire officials began a partnership with HealthPark for community CPR classes.
“Our goal is to eventually get to the point that any resident that lives within our jurisdiction and identified by their healthcare provider as a high risk for cardiovascular disease be referred to us automatically to take a CPR class and learn about risk factors for them and their family,” said Lt. Martin.
The proclamation idea sprung from a public comment request by Lt. Martin at a past Council meeting. He opened by stating, “Tonight, I come before you to speak about a killer that may be lurking in this room.”
Martin further stated that one American every 25 seconds is affecting by heart disease, and that one every minute succumbs to it.
“Your fire district over the last few years through the advancement in medical treatment protocols, collaborative working relationship with HealthPark Medical Center has greatly increased the odds of survivability to the residents of our fire district,” he said. “We have some of the best survival rates for our residents.”
Martin stated the local fire district has “aggressively marketed CPR and public awareness” by setting a record in 2011 for training 200 residents, including all fire commissioners.
The local proclamation balances with the fact that February Is National Heart Disease Awareness Month.
Martin invited all Town officials to attend a free CPR training class at one of the fire stations in the future.
Andre to join LPA
The Town ‘s Local Planning Agency is now seven members strong.
Beach resident Dan Andre, co-owner of Mango Street Inn, was unanimously selected to join the advisory committee to fill a vacancy on Monday. The LPA meets in Council Chambers every second Tuesday of every month at 9 a.m.
Andre had been serving the Town as vice chair of the Marine Resources Task Force. He is also a member of the Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve.
“Although my time as vice chairman of the Marine Resources Task Force has been well served, I would like to get more involved in the community and local government. I believe I bring solid and logical judgment, fairness and straightforwardness to the LPA.” he stated in his nomination letter.
Councilwoman Jo List complimented the selection during her motion.
“Dan Andre has demonstrated through his business and volunteer work in our community to be a very reliable and dedicated member in our community,” she said
The objectives of the LPA, which also serves as the Town’s Historic Preservation Board, are to further the welfare of the citizens of town by helping to promote a better, more positive community environment and to ensure that the unique, natural characteristics of the island are preserved.