Wirth takes mantle of fire district

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

N o w t h a t F o r t M y e r s B e a c h F i r e Control District Chief Scott Wirth has had the “interim chief” label that he has worn since March lifted, he is ready to take on the challenges of the department that started long before Hurricane Ian finding a new home for a fire station along with the new challenges of managing a district reeling from the effects of Hurricane Ian

“The Fire District, like the Fort Myers Beach community itself, is on a long journey to recovery,” Wirth said “I am honored that the Board of Fire Commissioners has entrusted me to lead the organization during this trying time ”

Before being elevated to interim chief after the resignation of former chief Ron Martin, Wirth was the district’s chief of operations and had been closely involved in preparing the town’s plans to move Station 31 from Donora Boulevard to the lot acquired by the district at the former Topps supermarket Hurricane Ian rearranged those plans after it destroyed Station 31 The district is now in talks with Town of Fort Myers Beach officials about swapping its Topps lot, which it acquired for $4 1 million in 2019, with the town hall lot so the town can build a new town hall The town has been operating temporary town hall facilities in trailers on the fire department’s property

Wirth is exploring potentially building a new fire station where the town hall was and building an administrative facility off island with a fire training facility

“Although we lost one fire station to the storm, our responders continue to serve the community with the same level of excellence as before the storm,” Wirth said

With 34 years of public safety service, Wirth has a lot of experience from which to pull as he takes on a district looking to regain its financial footing as much as its operational footing The district is facing an estimated 40% drop in property tax revenue and had to use $4 6 million of its reserves to keep its tax rate flat for its 2023-24 budget The district has multiple funding requests it has applied for to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state to make up for lost revenue and to help build a new fire station.

Wirth joined the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control

District in 2017, prior to Hurricane Irma His career as a firefighter began with the Placid Lakes Volunteer Fire Department in Lake Placid, Florida He joined the City of Fort Myers Fire Department in 1991, where he rose to Division Chief of Operations

Wirth has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration He is also a licensed general contractor though he has not worked on building homes since 2012

Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Commissioner Ron Fleming credited Wirth for his “focus to do what needed to be done” in coordinating operational efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, despite damage to his home from Hurricane Ian and the displacement of his family Fleming said it was “amazing” Wirth was able to do his job daily in the weeks and months after the storm under the circumstances “I am really looking forward to getting us back and better than what we were,” Fleming said

“It’s because of the team we have in place that I am confident we will emerge better than we were before Hurricane Ian devastated our community,” Wirth said “I am honored to be a member of this public service family and proud of every one of my team members.”

Gas leak shuts down traffic around Margaritaville site

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

An underground gas leak in the vicinity of the Margaritaville construction project closed off traffic last week Traffic w

Mantanzas Pass Bridge, at Crescent Street and Fifth Street, and Estero Boulevard and Palermo Circle by the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District

The gas leak was eventually secured and shut down though a heavy concentra- in storm drains extend the time of the road closures to ensure they are cleared

by TECO Gas

There has been heavy construction at the Margaritaville site since ground was broken in 2021 The hotel is expected to open in November