Division Lifeguard on Patrol

About Us

History:

Since the 1970s, Okaloosa County  has recognized the importance of protecting the people who enjoy it’s sugar white sands and emerald green waters. It was always understood that as inviting as the Gulf of Mexico can be, she can be equally as treacherous. The Board of County Commissioners contracted the lifesaving services of local beach services like Sunset Beach Service to keep our beaches safe. In the past 30 plus years many lives have been saved by Sunset lifeguards.

In 2003, over twenty people drowned on the Beaches of Florida’s panhandle, eight in just one day (June 8th,”Black Sunday”). These events heightened the awareness of beach safety and prompted a new approach to lifeguarding and public safety in the area. New alliances were formed between Okaloosa Public Safety and Sunset Beach Service in a determined effort to prevent another “Black Sunday”. Hand in hand, both organization worked diligently together over the next several years to keep the public safe.

The Okaloosa Department of Public Safety’s Beach Safety Division was formed in 2007.The Beach Safety Division assumed all lifeguard and medical operations responsibilities on Okaloosa County beaches.

Today:

All Beach Safety Lifeguards are academy trained to the United States Lifesaving Association’s Open Water Lifesaving standard and are medically trained as First Responders in accordance with the U.S.D.O.T. and N.R.E.M.T. National Standard Curriculum. All Senior Lifeguard staff members are either Florida certified Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics. They respond to a multitude of medical and trauma related emergencies on the beach as well as effect open water surf rescues and provide incident command during major incidents on the beach. ATVs, 4X4 vehicles, jet-skis modified for heavy surf rescue, and inflatable rescue boats are the primary vehicles used to respond to emergencies in the waters and on the beaches of Okaloosa County.

Community outreach and public education on the importance of beach safety remains the most effective tool in promoting a safer beach environment. For that reason, the Beach Safety Division focuses daily on making contact with the public on the beach to educate as many people as possible on the flag warning system, rip currents, ordinance compliance issues, and general water safety. The success of this program is due in no small part to the outstanding public education effort made by all of the dedicated professionals in the Beach Safety Division.