South Walton Fire District

#SWFDNews | The South Walton Fire District is proud to share the publication of our 2024 Annual Report! Link: tinyurl.com/SWFD2024Report Thank you for your support in 2024, we look forward to what's to come in 2025. Questions about the Annual Report? Email pio@swfd.org. 🚒🔥🌊☎️

Use warm water, not ice, to relieve the pain of a sting. Our community is also under a Heat Advisory today. Stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade, and keep a close eye on your loved ones. 2/2

Moderate surf hazards and stinging marine life are present Saturday, August 16 in SoWal, SWFD lifeguards are flying YELLOW and PURPLE flags. Always respect the open water- it is not a swimming pool. Swim to your limits and near a lifeguard at all times. 1/2

If you experience a jellyfish sting, use warm water (not ice) for pain relief. We're working on getting the beach flag text messaging system up-to-date so it correlates with the flag change. Have a safe day at the beach and let our team know if you have any questions! 2/2

SWFD lifeguards are changing beach flags on 8/12/25 to RED and PURPLE for high surf hazards and jellyfish present in South Walton. 🌊🚩 Stay close to shore and near a lifeguard at all times. Remember #KneeDeepIsTooDeep, stay hydrated, and wear plenty of SPF. 1/2

With the hot weather, we also encourage you to be mindful of the sun, wear SPF, and stay hydrated. Warm water (not ice) can be used to help alleviate the pain of a jellyfish sting. Enjoy your day at the beach and make it a safe day! 3/3

Moderate surf hazards and stinging marine life are present 8/2/25, SWFD lifeguards are flying yellow and purple flags. ☀️🪼🌊 Use caution any time you enter the Gulf, know your limits, and swim near a lifeguard! 1/2

There is no vacation worth the cost of losing someone you love- please stay close to shore and near a lifeguard at all times. #KneeDeepIsTooDeep! If you experience a sting, use warm water, not ice, to relieve the pain. Be safe today! 2/2

High surf hazards and stinging marine life are present Thursday, July 17, @swfdinfo lifeguards are changing beach flags to RED and PURPLE! 🚩🌊 This bump in surf is due to a tropical disturbance in the Gulf. Remember rip currents threaten even strong swimmers. 1/2

Check out SWFD District Chief Chris Kidder's video and article published on @fireengineering!

Successful chief officers set expectations & hold themselves and their teams accountable. Ready to lead? 👉 ow.ly/whv350WgPBo

High surf hazards and stinging marine life are present 6/29/25, SWFD lifeguards are flying red and purple flags. 🚩🪼⚠️ Stay close to shore and near a lifeguard. #KneeDeepIsTooDeep today. Use warm water, not ice, to relieve the pain of a sting. Be safe out there!

High surf hazards and stinging marine life are present Sunday, June 29, SWFD lifeguards are flying red and purple flags. 🚩🪼⚠️ Stay close to shore and near a lifeguard at all times. #KneeDeepIsTooDeep today. 1/2

Stay hydrated today and take frequent breaks in the shade. Watch out for each other, making sure to keep an especially close eye on elderly individuals, children, and pets. 2/2

A Grayt but HOT🥵 Monday, @swfdinfo lifeguards are flying YELLOW and PURPLE flags for 6/23/25. Swim near a lifeguard and respect the open water! Warm water can help allieviate the pain of a jellyfish sting. 1/2

5AM ET June 23, 2025: The start of the work week will be a hot one with widespread middle to upper 90s expected with a few locations flirting with 100°. Isolated showers and storms will only be able to cool a few of us off today and Tuesday. #ALwx #FLwx #GAwx

The Walton County Sheriff's Office continues to search for 48-year-old Nickie Dawn Gallegos, who was reported missing on May 28, 2025. At the time she was reported missing, family members told deputies they had not heard from her in more than a month and a half, something they said was highly unusual. Nickie is approximately 5'5", 115-120 lbs. with dyed red hair and brown eyes. She was last known to be in the DeFuniak Springs/Freeport area. She is also known to frequent South Walton and Destin. Investigators have used multiple investigative techniques in the search for Nickie and continue to work around the clock to locate her. If you have seen Nickie or have any information about her whereabouts, contact the Walton County Sheriff's Office at (850) 892-8111. Or, you can remain anonymous by calling @eccsTIPS at 863-TIPS (8477), using the P3 Tips App, or visiting emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com.

Please swim near a lifeguard and know your limits in the heat. If you experience a jellyfish sting, use warm water (not ice) for pain relief. Respect the open water and all marine life present! Be safe. 2/2

Moderate surf hazards and stinging marine life are present 6/21/25 lifeguards are flying yellow and purple flags. 🌊🪼⚠️ We’ve responded to numerous heat-related calls the past several days- hydration and heat safety are key! 1/2

Swim near a lifeguard and stay close to shore at all times, hydrate often, and wear plenty of SPF. Use warm water (not ice) to relieve the pain of a jellyfish sting. Be safe today and let our team know if you have any questions while visiting the beach. 2/2

High surf hazards and stinging marine life are present Friday, June 20, lifeguards are changing beach flags to RED and PURPLE. Can you spot the rip current(s) in the photo below? We have already responded to several surf-related calls today. Remember #KneeDeepIsTooDeep. 1/2