Chief of the city of Sanibel Police Department William Dalton and fire chief of the Sanibel Fire & Rescue District Kevin Barbot, along with Captiva Island Fire District chief Jeff Pawul, will appear at the SanCap Chamber meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at The Community House on Sanibel Island to speak about current operations in their respective departments post Hurricane Milton.
“We’ve seen some positive changes in police and fire and rescue response operations in past years, and these three gentlemen will bring us up to speed as to how they impact the safety of our businesses, residents, and visitors on the island,” said John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and chief executive officer.
Chief Dalton joined the Sanibel Police Department in 1994 and advanced through the ranks to serve as chief of police in 2017. In 2020, he was elected president of the Southwest Florida Police Chiefs Association and is now immediate past president.
Dalton earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Florida in Tampa and his master of business administrations degree from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. He has earned numerous certifications through FEMA and served as the city’s incident commander through Hurricane Irma. Chief Dalton is also a graduate of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s 51st class of the Chief Executive Seminar.
Chief Barbot holds a bachelor’s degree in emergency services administration from Utah Valley University and has earned state certifications for fire officer, fire inspector, fire instructor, health/safety officer, and paramedic. He started his career as a firefighter with Punta Gorda Fire Department and Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District, and has been with Sanibel Fire & Rescue District for 12 years. Barbot has worked through the ranks as lieutenant, captain, deputy fire chief, and, most recently, fire chief.
Chief Pawul earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky, where he cultivated a strong foundation in management and finance. His academic background has helped him apply best practices to both fire response and organizational leadership throughout his career.
In addition to his role as fire chief, Pawul is involved in fire service leadership and advocacy. He serves as secretary and treasurer of the Lee County Fire Chiefs’ Association, where he plays a key role in coordinating initiatives, enhancing collaboration, and supporting professional development for fire service personnel across the county.
The chamber business lunch is a monthly networking opportunity held at various member locations. The chamber strives to provide speakers to discuss business topics relevant to the membership. SanCap Chamber members receive meeting invitations by email. Cost for luncheon attendance is $35.
Advanced registration is required to attend; walk-ins are not accepted. Register by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at sanibel-captiva.org or by contacting Aaron Walton at [email protected] or 239-472-8759. Payment is due at time of registration. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
The SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over 1.3 million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or [email protected].
