KELLY FARRELL / Staff

Isles of Capri Fire Rescue Chief Emilio Rodriguez inspects damage to sprinkler pipes caused by Tropical Storm Fay. The helicopter landing pad behind Rodriguez is at risk of washing into the Johnson Bay if the fire station property is not protected from further storm erosion. FEMA approved a $44,000 grant for a seawall to be installed along the water's edge.

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MARCO ISLAND — The helicopter landing pad at the Isles of Capri Fire Rescue Department has been instrumental in saving countless lives over the past 16 years. Now the helipad itself is in need of some rescue.

The helicopter landing zone, which is now only about 10 feet away from falling into Johnson Bay, is literally a life saver when EMS Medflight has a patient who needs a trauma facility.

“Just this last weekend was a perfect example,” said Fire Chief Emilio Rodriguez, referring to the Jet Ski accident involving Marco Island Police Officer Cpl. Kevin Hennings, 35, and island resident Jennifer Rousseau, 23. Hennings was taken in by boat, then flown from the fire station to Lee Memorial Hospital in critical condition Sunday.

“Lee County is the nearest trauma facility. We need the ability to get them out of here fast,” Rodriguez said.

Shoreline erosion near the fire station began with Hurricane Charley in 2004 and continued through Tropical Storm Fay this August. Now the helicopter pad, which was once more than 36 feet off shore, is only six feet from the shoreline.

At a meeting Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a request to move quickly on building a seawall to protect the landing pad and fire department property.

A grant application was submitted to FEMA in September of 2006 following the loss of 20 feet of shoreline caused by Hurricane Wilma in October 2005.

FEMA approved a $44,000 grant and the fire station must match 25 percent of that. Rodriguez said about $15,000 will be paid for by the department’s special taxing district, which has a property tax rate of $1.60 per $1,000 of property value.

“This has been a long process. We’ve been wanting this for about three years,” said Joseph Frazier, Homeland Security coordinator for Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services.

Frazier said the goal was to get a seawall constructed before the 2008 hurricane season, but the permitting process delayed the project, leaving construction completion to be more likely before hurricane season 2009 — which begins in June.

“We’re just crossing our fingers we make it through without losing any more land. We still have October and November to go (before hurricane season ends,)” Rodriguez said.

Everything is in order for a contractor to begin the work. Collier Seawall and Dock was the low bidder on the project at $57,900. If the company does not sign the contract, the county will likely look to the next bidder, Marco Marine Construction, who bid $58,750 to construct a seawall along the length of the property.

Concerns about the erosion were also heightened by the shrinking space between the fire department’s septic tank and the shoreline. The septic tank drain field is currently only about 30 feet from the shore line.

“We need to worry about the septic tank and the environment. This is a critical time,” Rodriguez said.

Tropical Storm Fay took away at least one foot of land, leaving pipes from the sprinkler system exposed.

Rodriguez said the community uses the beach behind the station for kayak launching and relaxation. He added that he does not expect the seawall, which will be no more than a foot above the ground, to infringe on that community use.

While the Isles of Capri Fire Rescue District provides service to about 4,000 residents in Isles of Capri and Fiddlers Creek, automatic aid is also provided to Marco Island — serving the emergency needs of about 26,500 people boating and on land.

Rodriguez is eager for the project to begin. “Let’s break ground,” he said.