SWFD to enhance safety, accessibility of South Walton Beaches

During the Walton County Tourist Development Council board meeting, Jan. 14, Fire Chief Rick Talbert of the SWFD requested funds for continuing improvement and safety along South Walton beaches.

With a limited budget, the TDC voted to use funds set aside for special needs and agreed to work with SWFD to implement three initiatives.

"Building on the successes of the 2008 program," said Talbert. "These initiatives will enhance our 2009 Beach Safety and Education program."

For visitors and residents alike, the addition of beach wheelchairs, which will be located at Ed Walline, Miramar Beach and Bramble Grove, will be available for use to anyone (tourists and residents alike) desiring easier access to the beach.

"This will be a valuable addition," said Talbert. "It is part of the continued excellence of customer service shared by the TDC and SWFD."

The TDC currently is creating new beach safety brochures for the 2009 season and they will include information on the beach wheel chairs. The information will also be added to SWFD and TDC Web sites.

With other safety programs in place, such as the beach flag warning system, and lifeguards at strategic locations, the addition of a weather monitoring system along the 26 miles of beaches will enhance the SWFD safety procedures during a weather emergency.

Monitoring surf and beach conditions, which change rapidly along the coastline, will be easier with the WeatherBug Network.

This weather monitoring system, which collects data every two seconds, will enable the SWFD to observe condition changes, enabling them to make quick decisions regarding the safety of beach goers.

WeatherBug Network is part of the Homeland Security Partnership Program, and all data will be available to the National Weather Service when emergency conditions such as hurricanes or inclement weather arises.

"This will benefit the community in several ways," Talbert said. "We'll be able to add real time information from each station to our Web page, enabling the public to view conditions at any time."

In addition, SWFD has eight lifeguard towers along South Walton beaches, that have quick access to safety equipment, which is as important as collecting real time weather conditions, said Talbert.

As part of the ongoing working relationship with the TDC, the SWFD removed an unsightly storage shed from Ed Walline last summer. Since the storage shed was integral to the lifeguard program, discussion between SWFD and the TDC led to a solution.

It was decided one of the pavilions at Ed Walline beach will be converted, keeping the aesthetics of the beach, to store lifeguard and safety equipment.

"We are proud of our involvement and commitment with the TDC," stated Talbert. "We look forward to working together with you (TDC) to bring the utmost in safety and customer service to the citizens and visitors we serve."