Hurricane Ian Heroes: Recognizing some of the game-changers in Fort Myers Beach

We asked for Hurricane Hero nominations. We were amazed out how many emails we received. Our goal is to recognize as many of the Ian Heroes as possible. Here are some of the hero nominations for Fort Myers Beach:

Hero: Christopher Armiger

‘Not all heroes wear capes, some wear bunker gear'

Christopher Armiger, a Fort Myers Beach Fire Department firefighter, spent days and nights away from his family to help save anyone that was alive on the beach after the hurricane. He put the residents of Fort Myers Beach above himself to make sure everyone was accounted for! He risked his life to help and protect the residents and guests of FMB.  It is true not all heroes wear capes, some wear bunker gear.

Submitted by: Jennifer Armiger 

Hero: Dan Allers

'Doing whatever he could'

He stayed on the island during Ian, so was “boots on the ground” immediately doing whatever he could.He has continued to communicate with and support residents since Ian, even while dealing with the damage to his own home.

He also was involved (with business partners) in offering his golf cart storage building to be used for a distribution center for supplies and continues to be involved with the FMB Strong movement that still provides food & supplies to local residents.

Submitted by: Jan Falkum

Heroes: Florida Task Force 2

‘Turning chaos into some order’

I am physician/surgeon and first-responder, also.  I am part of Florida Task Force 2 based in Miami.  I am also part of the FEMA National search and rescue system.

We were urgently asked to come to the area the day of storm. We ultimately traveled from Miami despite winds of 40-60 MPH. It was unsafe for all. Also, against regulations somewhat. 

We were the first ones in to Fort Myers Beach. We also sent water rescue people to Marco Island and worked the night as we always do around collapsed structures., fires, downed power lines, etc.At daylight, I resuscitated a male in cardiac arrest on Fort Myers Beach in front of Margaritaville. Also rescued a patient in respiratory failure.

Ultimately, my team set up an improvised  "EMS" system for the entire beach. We turned chaos into some order.

We are not heroes at all.  We were just, as always, doing what we are trained to do.

Submitted by: Stuart Morgenstein 

Heroes: Fort Myers Beach neighbors

'Feeling blessed and thankful'

Well, it is very hard to point to any one person but, being fortunate enough to live in Waterside 1 in Fort Myers Beach, we have had the blessing of the many neighbors in our building that stayed during the hurricane and began immediate action to get our building up and running quickly.

The resourcefulness and hard work got us back into our building prior to almost any other condo on the beach.

As we sat on our lanai from January to April and viewed almost nothing but completely empty unlit condos throughout the beach, we felt blessed and thankful for the work of the many people involved in getting our place ready to occupy so quickly.

Submitted by: John and Patty Regina

Hero: Helping Hands

'Help came from everywhere'

Without a doubt, Beach Talk Radio who supplied information and directed resources.

Soon to be mayor Dan Allers and then councilman, now vice mayor Jim Aterholt.

Volunteers at the Buttonwood distribution center.

All of the residents who returned to rebuild in totally devastating conditions.  No power, water, sewer systems, and in many cases, no shelter.  But we returned.  And we are rebuilding.

Lee County Sheriffs for protecting the island from looting.  It was kept at a minimum.

First responders for being first on the tragedy.

Submitted by: Dave Nausbaum

Hero: John Joyce

'Fixer of digital infrastructure'I’m forwarding this Hurricane Heroes nomination for John Joyce from CRS Technology Consultants. John helped local fire departments restore their digital infrastructure so firefighters and paramedics could begin rescue operations. He also helped set up a Starlink device on Fort Myers Beach that became a communications lifeline.

What makes John a Hurricane Hero?

Immediately after Hurricane Ian, John transformed from a business owner into an IT first responder. Supporting the Iona-McGregor Fire District, Sanibel Fire & Rescue, and others. John helped local fire stations restore their digital infrastructure so firefighters and paramedics could begin rescue operations. John stepped in and got to work so first responders could do the same.

Through the IT Disaster Resource Center, a national team of volunteer technology professionals, John helped set up some of the first Starlink devices in Southwest Florida to aid in hurricane response, recovery and relief after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk agreed to expedite installation of the company’s satellite internet service. One location at Salty Sam’s Marina proved to be a lifeline for residents, government officials and first responders on Fort Myers Beach who used that connectivity to make their first contacts with the outside world after the storm.

Additionally, John has served on the Board of Directors for United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades since 2021. Not only did United Way reach its annual campaign goal of $11.19 million, but the nonprofit also launched a separate Hurricane Recovery Fund that raised an additional $7 million to support residents and charitable organizations in need.

Submitted by: Julie Klein

Hero: Laurie Emfield

'Thinking of others first'

Laurie Emfield met with Polaris in Minneapolis. A few of us had raised money to buy one vehicle for the police officers patrolling the beach areas. Polaris donated 5 vehicles instead. She worked closely with a friend named Christine. Laurie and Christine both owned homes on Hickory beach at the time of the storm.I know Laurie also purchased items for people in need. Taking one person on a Target Trip to purchase items. Even though her house had been severely damaged she thought first of others. She is wonderful.

Submitted by: Cynthia Williamson

Hero: Lori Marlowe

‘Like Nothing I Have Ever Seen’

Lori has spent every weekend since the hurricane taking supplies in her car to the survivors living in tents, cars, under the bridge, etc. She asked many companies and agencies for donations and every week boxes of supplies appeared at her house.  She sorted everything and took specific items to people she knew who needed help. She picked up generators that were not working and took them to get repaired and returned them to the owners. She took breakfast from McDonald's to many people on her way.

On her Facebook page every week she posted her report of how her friends were doing on the beach and things they still needed. If you look at her Facebook page which is "Lori Marlowe" you will see the history of what she has been doing. To do all this work for so many months to help these people is like nothing I have ever seen. Lori has a full time job and did all this work by filling her SUV every weekend which took much of her time to make a difference for her new friends on the beach.

Submitted by: Nancy Miller

Hero: Sabah Gonzalez

‘I have never seen someone more dedicated’

I live on Fort Myers Beach and was here on the island during Hurricane Ian with my kids and family.

The day of the storm, the days and weeks after, and where we are today have all changed the way I look at life and humanity.

When I think about a “hero” I think about someone that needs/wants no recognition for selflessly helping others.

With that being, said I’d like to nominate Sabah Gonzalez.

Sabah works for the town of Fort Myers Beach and has held several roles serving the community and is also one of my neighbors on Coconut Drive. He and his family made a smart decision to head to the coast for the storm itself but kept us updated and calm every chance he had throughout that horrific day.

There were many heroes on this island following the storm but he stands out in my mind because while many were concerned with only their own belongings and situation Sabah not only helped the town in search and rescue, but every second off of work helped everyone in his path.

I spent eight days on the island after the storm before temporarily leaving due to situation and I have never seen someone more dedicated to serving their community than he was.

On my last day on the island after the storm I begged him to let me help him grab what his family needed from the house in case he didn’t get another chance because officials were saying the island was going to be condemned indefinitely. After MUCH deliberation Sabah, another one of his friends that was helping him, and I rummaged through each of his family members bedrooms grabbing what we thought would be most important. I watched his emotions change throughout the day and heard him speak of some of the horrific scenes he had been exposed to, but above all his will was to continue helping everyone in his path. There are not many men built like him and I’m very thankful to him and his sacrifices for our community.

Submitted by: Devon Nourse

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Ian brought out the best in the Fort Myers Beach community