Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District donates old fire engine to Upper Captiva Fire Department
What does a fire department do with old, outdated fire equipment, such as a 1995 fire engine? The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District donates it to the Upper Captiva Fire Department!
“This truck has served us very well for more than 20 years,” M/PIFCD Chief Benjamin Mickuleit said. “When we had two new trucks delivered last year, we decided that the best use for our old truck was to donate it to a department that needs a newer truck.”
“Upper Captiva has a very small tax base and a new truck is out of the question,” Upper Captiva Fire Chief Bob Kinniry said. “Our old truck is a 1988 Pierce fire truck and the salt water environment and the rainy season takes its toll on all of our equipment.”
In February of last year, two brand new E-One fire trucks were delivered to the Pine Island Fire Department. The two trucks were purchased to replace two outdated engines from 1995 and 2001.
“This means a lot to North Captiva,” Chief Kinniry said. “This goes a long way to improving our equipment and will serve the island well for another 10 years. I want to thank the Pine Island Fire Commissioners, Chief Ben and Deputy Chief Shawn. The Pine Island Fire Department has been a good friend to Upper Captiva and they always do whatever they can to help us out.”