Walton County Code Compliance Director Tony Cornman recently announced that the Beach Code team held an interagency training session at the South Walton Courthouse Annex. Partnering with the South Walton Fire District (SWFD), the session was designed to prepare for the upcoming beach season, when thousands of students are expected to descend on the beaches of South Walton County.
The training comes just ahead of the SWFD Beach Safety Division’s season kickoff on March 1, 2026. This year, the district will provide dedicated lifeguard protection at 18 tower locations along the shoreline. Lifeguards at these stations handle numerous daily emergencies, ranging from water rescues to various medical calls.
Director Cornman noted that the session focused specifically on response procedures for double red-flag conditions and missing children reports. The training emphasized coordination, communication, and public safety best practices to ensure all teams are ready for the peak beach activity.
The session was led by SWFD Beach Safety Coordinator David Vaughan, who highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation. Vaughan explained that a mutual understanding between beach safety and code enforcement acts as a force multiplier, allowing for a more effective presence on the sand. He noted that lifeguards rely heavily on local enforcement officers, particularly during dangerous surf conditions.
Both agencies reiterated that while their roles are clearly defined, the ultimate emphasis is always on supporting rescuers and emergency operations across Walton County’s 26 miles of Gulf-front beaches. This collaborative effort ensures that both residents and visitors remain safe throughout the busy spring and summer months.
The training comes just ahead of the SWFD Beach Safety Division’s season kickoff on March 1, 2026. This year, the district will provide dedicated lifeguard protection at 18 tower locations along the shoreline. Lifeguards at these stations handle numerous daily emergencies, ranging from water rescues to various medical calls.
Director Cornman noted that the session focused specifically on response procedures for double red-flag conditions and missing children reports. The training emphasized coordination, communication, and public safety best practices to ensure all teams are ready for the peak beach activity.
The session was led by SWFD Beach Safety Coordinator David Vaughan, who highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation. Vaughan explained that a mutual understanding between beach safety and code enforcement acts as a force multiplier, allowing for a more effective presence on the sand. He noted that lifeguards rely heavily on local enforcement officers, particularly during dangerous surf conditions.
Both agencies reiterated that while their roles are clearly defined, the ultimate emphasis is always on supporting rescuers and emergency operations across Walton County’s 26 miles of Gulf-front beaches. This collaborative effort ensures that both residents and visitors remain safe throughout the busy spring and summer months.