Latest news with #SWFD
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
South Walton Fire District opens 19th lifeguard tower
SOUTH WALTON, Fla. (WMBB) – In opening its 19th lifeguard tower on Tuesday, June 10, the South Walton Fire District is now the professional beach safety services provider for WaterSound Beach. According to a SWFD Facebook post, the tower is funded through a contractual agreement between SWFD and St. Joe Resort Operations, LLC, alongside support from the WaterSound Beach Homeowners Association. Lynn Haven official advocates for senior-friendly USPS drop box Officials said adding a tower means enhancing beach safety services in what lifeguards have historically considered the 'Seven Mile Stretch,' a name derived from the area of South Walton beaches where there are no on-site lifeguard coverage, emergency access challenges and consistently high-call volume. 'The seven miles can tax our resources quickly, but frankly it isn't just about emergency responses to any of the unguarded beaches,' said SWFD Beach Safety Director David Vaughan. 'The absence of official lifeguard services means it's more challenging to educate face-to-face and prevent emergencies from happening altogether. The bulk of what we do is prevention, but without the opportunity to have a presence, prevention doesn't happen as easily.' The South Walton Fire District has added four towers since the start of the 2025 Beach Safety Season and are continually hiring seasonal and full-time lifeguards of all experience levels. To apply, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New lifeguard services launch at WaterColor Beach
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — Beachgoers in WaterColor will see new faces on the sand starting Tuesday, as the South Walton Fire District (SWFD) officially launches professional beach lifeguard services in partnership with the WaterColor Community Homeowners Association. The multi-year agreement, fully funded by the WaterColor Community Association, ensures daily lifeguard coverage from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours during peak periods and hazardous surf conditions. The initiative aims to strengthen beach safety in an area previously without on-site lifeguard presence. 'Our partnership with SWFD allows us to elevate the safety and well-being of both residents and guests enjoying WaterColor's beaches,' said Jacob Marshall, Executive Director of the WaterColor Community Association. 'We're grateful for the SWFD's professionalism and leadership, both in forming this partnership and in their ongoing efforts that make a lifesaving impact across our county.' The new WaterColor towers are part of a broader expansion this season, with SWFD adding three new towers since the 2025 Beach Safety Season began on March 1, bringing the district's total to 17. 'Another community has come on-board recognizing the positive impact lifeguards can have,' said David Vaughan, SWFD Beach Safety Director. 'This community is giving us the opportunity to increase our footprint, provide better education, and improve response times. It's even sweeter this year to see these additional towers come to fruition as we are celebrating our 20th Season of Beach Safety in South Walton.' Beach safety officials are encouraging all visitors to familiarize themselves with South Walton's beach flag warning system and to heed posted safety guidelines. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
South Walton Fire District and Seaside team up for beach lifeguard services
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – South Walton Fire District and SEASIDE®are proud to announce their partnership to provide beach lifeguard services for SEASIDE®homeowners and vacation guests beginning March 11, 2025. SWFD officials said the contractual agreement for services was finalized following discussions between the two entities about the need for enhancing beach safety within SEASIDE® after the closure of the Van Ness Butler Regional Beach Access in 2024. Sheriff's offices on high alert for potential spring break events 'The closure unfortunately created a three-mile gap between our lifeguard towers in SeagroveBeach and Grayton Beach,' said SWFD Fire Chief Ryan Crawford. 'SEASIDE® has stepped upto provide its residents and visitors with lifeguard protection, which allows us to more effectivelyprevent and respond to emergencies in an area with a historically high call volume.' The beach will be staffed every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the 2025 Beach Safety Season, which includes extended hours during peak times. 'Our goal is to provide peace of mind for everyone who enjoys our beaches, knowing thatprofessional lifeguards are on duty to keep them safe,' said Kevin Boyle, Seaside CommunityDevelopment Corp. General Manager. 'I have the utmost respect for Beach Safety DirectorDavid Vaughan, Fire Chief Ryan Crawford, and Fire Marshal Sammy Sanchez for theirunwavering dedication to protecting our community. Their leadership has been instrumental inmaking this agreement possible, and we are grateful for their partnership. We also applaud AlysBeach, Rosemary Beach, Sandestin, and others for paving the way with similar agreements,setting a strong precedent for proactive beach safety measures across our region.' For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
