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Fire Department · Career

South Walton Fire District

Santa Rosa Beach, FL · Walton County

Address
911 N County Highway 393, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459 5371
10Stations
1983Founded
84 sq miArea

Active openings

No active openings right now

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About South Walton Fire District

South Walton Fire District was created by the Walton County Board of Commissioners on August 9, 1983, and has grown into the primary fire-rescue and beach safety provider for roughly 84 square miles of the county's Gulf Coast, running from the Okaloosa County line east to the Bay County line and south of Choctawhatchee Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.

Today the District operates five fire stations spread across that coastline and provides fire suppression, EMS transport, hazardous materials mitigation, beach lifeguard operations, 911 emergency communications, and public fire and life-safety education. Firefighters cross-staff the district's rescue units, and the area carries a 3/3X ISO Public Protection Classification based on station and hydrant coverage.

SWFD describes its culture as family-oriented, built around three stated pillars: leadership through ongoing personal and professional development, teamwork that treats members as the cornerstone of the organization's success, and integrity and honesty grounded in public trust.

How to get hired

SWFD recruits on an as-needed basis for firefighter, paramedic, and beach lifeguard roles, and describes itself as an expanding organization looking for committed individuals who become both team members and community members.

Hiring process

  1. Download and complete the standardized SWFD Admin Application (v-2024)
  2. Save and submit the completed application to career@swfd.org

Leadership & hiring contacts

Ryan Crawford
Fire Chief/Administrator
Brian Hughes
Assistant Chief, Operations
Daniel LaTour
Assistant Chief, Support Services
Tim Orenic
EMS Chief
Sammy Sanchez
Fire Marshal
David Vaughan
Beach Safety Director
Lois LaBarreare
HR Manager
Mackenzie McClintock
Public Information Officer

Frequently asked questions

How many fire stations does South Walton Fire District have?

The district has 5 fire stations strategically located throughout the district.

What is the ISO rating for South Walton?

South Walton carries a 3/3X split ISO rating based on proximity to fire stations and hydrants.

Are ambulance personnel also firefighters?

Yes, the personnel assigned to the district's rescues (ambulances) are also firefighters.

What's the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?

Paramedics receive significantly more training and education than EMTs.

How much ongoing training do firefighters complete?

Firefighters train approximately 20 hours monthly in fire-related topics, plus 3 hours of medical education.