Sheriff's substation to add EMS crew

By the end of May, an Okaloosa County ambulance crew will be operating out of the Destin police substation on Stahlman Avenue.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, which provides Destin police services under a contract with the city, operates out of the substation. The

Sheriff’s Office is remodeling the substation to provide added space for a county EMS crew as well.

Captain Greg Gaddis said the remodeling will be finished in four to six weeks.

County Public Safety Director Dino Villani said once the work is done, the ambulance will move in.

“Right now, we’re looking at possibly a seasonal unit that will help during the summer months when the call volume in the south end of the county is high,” Villani said. “That will probably evolve into full-time.”

Villani said the ambulance will cover the Destin area but it will also be available for Fort Walton Beach emergencies. He said Public Safety already has an ambulance stationed at Destin Airport.