New Date, Same Great Cause! Due to weather and scheduling conflicts, the Walton County Fire Rescue Pickleball Cadet Classic has been rescheduled to Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Freeport Sports Complex. This community event is open to the public, and everyone is invited to participate or come out and cheer on the players. Whether you're an experienced pickleball competitor, a casual player, or simply want to support a great cause, we'd love to have you join us. All proceeds benefit WCFR Cadet Post 850, helping provide training, mentorship, and career development opportunities for young men and women interested in fire and emergency services. REGISTRATION FEE: $30 REGISTER TODAY! wcso.wufoo.com/forms/m192h0s… @WJHG_TV @weartv @WMBBTV @nwfdailynews @WZEPAM1460

Looking to expand your technical rescue skillset? Walton County Fire Rescue will host FLUSAR Vehicle & Machinery Rescue Technician training, put on by @NationalRescue1 August 18-21, 2026. This hands-on, @NFPA 1006-compliant course covers vehicle stabilization, machinery rescue, extrication, disentanglement, and patient removal. Whether you're building a technical rescue program or sharpening existing skills, this course delivers practical training that translates directly to the field. To sign up for the course, contact Chief Chris Brown at brochristopher@waltonso.org or (850) 333-2694.

Have you signed up yet? It's kind of a big dill. Do it! 👇 wcso.wufoo.com/forms/m192h0s…

Is Throwback Thursday still a thing?

WALTON COUNTY FIRE RESCUE INTRODUCES NEW FIRE CHIEF @WCSOFL is proud to introduce Chief Jonathon Davis as the new fire chief overseeing Walton County Fire Rescue. Chief Davis brings more than two decades of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to the residents and visitors of Walton County. Chief Davis began his career in public safety in 1999 with Holmes County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). After earning his paramedic certification in 2001, he joined Walton County Fire Rescue full-time in 2004. Over the years, he has become a respected and trusted leader within the organization, advancing through the ranks as lieutenant, battalion chief, training chief, and, most recently, assistant chief. In his role as assistant chief, Davis oversaw the Fire Marshal’s program, logistics, training, and EMS operations, helping guide some of the department’s most critical divisions. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply committed to professional development and preparing the next generation of firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics. Under his guidance, Walton County Fire Rescue became the first fire rescue organization in the Florida panhandle to earn EMS Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS). Chief Davis played a key role in expanding Walton County Fire Rescue’s recruit academy, strengthening the training and onboarding process for new personnel. He also helped establish the agency’s first officer development program, which continues to prepare future leaders for supervisory and command positions. His impact can be seen throughout the department in both its growth and professionalism. A graduate of the @FlFireChiefs' Emergency Services Leadership Institute, Davis holds numerous advanced certifications, including Fire Officer II, Fire Service Instructor, Apparatus Operator, Aeriel Operator, and Fire Inspector. Since 2018, he has also served as one of the first tactical medics for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, providing medical support during high-risk operations and further strengthening interagency collaboration. His experience extends beyond Walton County through deployments to major disaster response efforts, including Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina and Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian, where he served as a strike team leader. Those deployments reinforced his belief in preparation, teamwork, and resiliency during times of crisis. “Chief Davis is a proven leader who has earned the respect of every agency and individual he has worked alongside,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “His integrity, experience, and unwavering commitment to service make him an exceptional choice to lead Walton County Fire Rescue into the future.” From his early days as a young paramedic to leading major operational divisions within the department, Chief Davis has grown alongside Walton County Fire Rescue and helped shape the organization into what it is today. As he steps into the role of fire chief, he brings with him the same steady leadership, dedication, and passion for public service that have defined his career.

From rookie to ready. Firefighter-EMT Isaac Young officially earned his career shield after completing his probationary period. The early mornings, long shifts, and nonstop training all led to this moment. Congratulations, Isaac! We’re proud to have you on our team.

Walton County Fire Rescue is proud to celebrate two of our newest members, Andrew Howell and Lane Carroll, who graduated from @ChipolaCollege's fire academy last week with standout achievements that set them apart from day one. Carroll earned a leadership award, recognizing the steady influence and initiative he brought to his class. Howell topped the academic charts with the highest GPA and was a recipient of the Iron Ax award — an honor reserved for the top-performing recruits at the end of the Firefighter I & II training program. These graduates didn’t just complete the academy; they defined what excellence looks like. WCFR is honored to welcome them to the team.

Memorial Day is a time for reflection. A day to slow down and remember the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Their sacrifice is felt in every freedom we enjoy, and today we hold their memory close. This day also carries a personal weight for our Walton County Fire Rescue family. Today marks four years since we lost Battalion Chief Brad Newsome after a courageous fight with renal cell carcinoma. Chief Newsome wasn't just a leader. He was the kind of person who made you better simply by being around him. A man of faith, steady in his values, devoted to his family, and committed to the community her served for 25 years. His influence is still here in the way we work, the way we lead, and the way we look out for one another. As we honor the fallen across our nation, we also take time to remember Brad - our brother, our friend, and someone we will never forget.

Late yesterday afternoon, Walton County Fire Rescue crews responded to a call reporting excessive cuteness just south of Freeport. When firefighters arrived on scene, they deployed Marshal the Fire Dog to sniff out the suspects. Marshal found several kiddos gathered behind a picket fence with maximum excitement and absolutely zero concern for personal space. Fortunately, WCFR crews were prepared with junior firefighter helmets and even let the little ones climb inside the engine for a closer look. Unfortunately, crews were unable to contain the cuteness. After firefighters conducted a secondary search of the in-home daycare, crews concluded the cuteness was mobile and followed the suspects everywhere they go.

Yesterday, Walton County Fire Rescue crews had the opportunity to reconnect with a woman they helped save following a serious traffic crash in Freeport last July. Firefighter-Paramedic Kevin Boyaval, Firefighter-EMT Jessica Crowder, and Firefighter-Paramedic Sebastian Raigosa reunited with the survivor at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, a special moment that highlighted just how far recovery can come after tragedy. Today, on National Trauma Survivors Day, we recognize the strength and resilience of survivors and the teamwork between first responders, medical staff, and trauma teams who work tirelessly to give patients a fighting chance. Moments like these serve as a reminder that the work done on scene and in the hospital can make a lasting difference.

Two Walton County Fire Rescue Battalion Chiefs have joined an elite group of fire-service leaders after successfully completing the prestigious Emergency Services Leadership Institute (ESLI). Walton County Fire Rescue is proud to announce the graduation of Battalion Chief Christopher Brown and Battalion Chief Travis Cook from ESLI, a premier leadership development program sponsored by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Foundation. The ESLI program is designed to equip mid-level and chief fire officers with the advanced leadership knowledge and skills needed to address the complex challenges facing today’s fire and emergency services. The Institute emphasizes contemporary leadership issues and provides a curriculum consistent with upper-level academics. The program consists of six stand-alone courses, each offering an immersive multi-day educational experience. The courses rotate on a two-year schedule, allowing participants the flexibility to begin with any course and complete the series in any sequence. To be eligible to graduate, participants must complete all six courses, which include: • Human Resources and Labor Relations • Personal Qualities, Leadership, and the Organization • Government Relations and Public Policy • Marketing Fire and Emergency Services • Finance and Budgeting • Emergency Management “Seeing Battalion Chiefs Cook and Brown push themselves through such a demanding program says a lot about who they are as leaders,” said Assistant Fire Chief Jonathan Davis. “They’re constantly looking for ways to grow and better serve this community, and that dedication makes a real difference in our organization.” The knowledge and leadership competencies gained through the ESLI will support both graduates in their ongoing efforts to lead teams, manage complex incidents, and help shape the future of fire and emergency services in Walton County. @WMBBTV @WJHG_TV @weartv @nwfdailynews @WZEPAM1460

A LETTER TO WALTON COUNTY - Fire Chief Austin Pugh Serving the citizens and visitors of Walton County for the past 24 years has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life. Together, we have faced difficult challenges, celebrated victories, learned from mistakes, and rebuilt stronger than before. Every moment of this journey has shaped not only my career, but also the person I have become. I began this path as an 18-year-old EMT, uncertain of where life would lead me. Over the years, I was blessed with the opportunity to grow alongside this department and ultimately serve as Fire Chief of one of the fastest-growing departments in the region. It has been both humbling and deeply rewarding. I will forever be grateful to the incredible men and women of this department, as well as the citizens and visitors I have had the privilege to serve. Many of you became more than colleagues or community members — you became lifelong friends and part of my extended family. The relationships built, the lives touched, and the experiences shared will remain with me forever. As I begin the next chapter of my career as Chief of Emergency Services for Bay County, please know that my love and appreciation for Walton County and Walton County Fire Rescue will never fade. This community helped shape me into the leader I am today and gave me the opportunity to pursue another prestigious role in public service. While this announcement may come as a surprise to some, planning for the future of the department has been underway for quite some time. Prior to accepting this opportunity, I had already planned to retire later this year, and because of that, leadership development and succession planning have been an ongoing focus. I have full faith and confidence in my successor and his ability to continue the growth and success of this organization. There is no doubt in my mind that Walton County Fire Rescue will continue to lead the way through innovation, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to serving this community at the highest level. Walton County, thank you for your trust, your support, and your belief in me throughout these 24 years. To the men and women I have proudly served beside, thank you for your sacrifice, your commitment, and your brotherhood. It has been the honor of a lifetime to stand alongside you. I love you all, and I will always be proud to call Walton County home.

Kicking off #EMSWeek with VIP treatment courtesy of the rockstars at Ascension Sacred Heart. Our crews rolled in with patients and rolled out with lunch plates from MISSION BBQ. They know EMS crews run on equal parts caffeine, chaos, and carbs. Thank you to our friends at Ascension Sacred Heart for feeding the people who barely remember to feed themselves. We appreciate you!

Walton County Fire Rescue is on the scene of a vehicle fire on Highway 83 near the intersection of Thad Bell Road in Glendale. Both lanes of Highway 83 are blocked at this time. No injuries have been reported at this time. Please use caution in the area as firefighters work to clear the scene.

Cookies? Secured. Fire hats? Fitted. Future first responders? Quite possibly. Freeport’s Girl Scout Troop 10335 stopped by Walton County Fire Rescue Station 12 again this year, and our crews were happy to roll out the red carpet (and maybe a few fire hoses). The Scouts got a behind-the-scenes look at the trucks, equipment, and daily life at the station while learning what it takes to serve the community as a firefighter and first responder. There were plenty of questions and lots of laughs. We always enjoy these visits and appreciate Troop 10335 taking the time to spend some time with our crews. Thanks for stopping by, girls. Station 12 will keep the sirens ready for your next visit.

2ND ANNUAL CADET POST 850 PICKLEBALL CLASSIC JUNE 19 & 20, 2026 Join us June 19 & 20 at the Freeport Sports Complex for a weekend of high‑energy pickleball fun supporting Walton County Fire Rescue Cadet Post 850. Every player, every cheer, and every rally helps our cadets train, compete, and grow as future first responders. We kick things off Friday at 6 PM with the crowd‑favorite Cops vs. Firefighters Match — a rivalry showdown that always brings the heat. Spectators welcome, so come ready to cheer. Then, on Saturday at 9 AM, the public tournament begins! All ages and skill levels are invited to jump in, play hard, and have a blast. Registration is $30 per player. Sign up here: wcso.wufoo.com/forms/m192h0s… Let’s pack the courts, support our cadets, and make this year even bigger.