11-03-2025
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.
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'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.'
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