Action elsewhere

While the Commission and the FAA were moving ahead, other factors were falling into place that would affect the new airport. Both Daniels Road and 1-75 were under construction. The new $850,000 terminal at Page Field was also under construction and, on the national scene, the CAB deregulated the air industry which meant airlines were now allowed to select their own routes. With its projected growth, Lee County was deemed by many airlines to be a profitable and desirable route. It wasn't long before Delta, United and Northwest Orient joined Eastern and National in their bid to serve Lee County.

Construction of the new regional airport was a complicated project. The master plan for the new airport was developed by Howard, Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff. Funding, of course, was of prime concern. On November 4, 1974, Lee County received a $195,000 federal grant to enable them to find the best site for a regional airport. On June 13, 1975, the Daniels Road site was selected and the estimated cost of construction was set at $31 million dollars.

In the meantime, it was also in 1975 that Gary LeTellier had come to Fort Myers to take the post of manager of Page Field. Prior to coming to this area, LeTellier had been assistant director at Daytona Beach Regional Airport.

LeTellier had a solid background in aviation. He'd received his pilot's license at 17, before becoming a student at the University of California. While there he had been drafted and sent to Vietnam where he flew helicopter gunships. Returning from Vietnam, he worked for United Airlines for three years before attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute in Daytona Beach where he earned his degree in aeronautical science and engineering.

LeTellier felt that the Airport Fire Department should be removed from the Division of Protective Services. He asked County Administrator Lavon Wisher, to make the department a separate division to be funded solely by airport operating funds. Wisher brought this proposal to the county commission and at the annual budget meeting in October of 1975, the change was made.

On November 26,1975 Billy Clemons, an active firefighter since October 26, 1972, was appointed Fire Chief. Under Clemons, the department received delivery of a rapid intervention vehicle and two 1,500 gallon crash fire fighting vehicles. This brought the airport to full compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration's requirements for airport firefighting and rescue services. The specialized flammable liquids firefighting equipment and advanced rescue and extrication equipment were used to respond countywide.

In 1977, the Aviation Safety Institution, devoted to the protection of air travelers throughout the world, presented the Lee County Airport with an award in recognition of its outstanding Crash/Fire/Rescue and Medical Preparedness and Response. In 1979, the Lee County Airport received the Aviation Safety Institute Award.

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