Destin Fire Rescue

🚨 🚨 🚨 FIRE ALERT 🚨 🚨 🚨

Update: Fire is out and crews are finishing up on scene. Thank you for the support.

There is a large amount of smoke in the area of Kelly Plantation due to a golf ball collector on fire. Be cautious in the area as crews work to extinguish.

***TRAFFIC ALERT***

Destin Fire is currently landing a medical helicopter at Destin Elementary School for a critical medical patient. Please be cautious in the area as there will be traffic delays.

Okaloosa MedFlight

City of Destin Government

*** PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT***

Destin Fire is proud to announce our latest promotions to the rank of Engineer. Jared Astle, Brent Bowling, Phillip Block, Tanner Chechak, and Matthew Hartsfield have been promoted from Firefighter to Engineer after showcasing their skills in our intense testing process. The promotion is effective October 6, 2026.

Please help us congratulate them on their accomplishment!

Today marks 10 years since we lost Battalion Chief Christopher “Mike” Urenda.

Although a decade has passed, Chief Urenda’s impact on Destin Fire Rescue has never faded. He was a respected leader, mentor, firefighter, and friend whose dedication to serving others left a lasting mark on our department and community.

His legacy lives on through the firefighters he guided, the lives he touched, and the many memories shared by those fortunate enough to know and serve alongside him.
Today, we honor Chief Urenda’s life, service, and leadership. He remains deeply missed and will never be forgotten.

Rest easy, Chief. We’ll take it from here.

Over the past week, Destin Fire hosted two sessions of the three day Search Culture training class, taught by Battalion Chief Jason Martino and cadre from the 850.

The class focused on current best practices for conducting efficient, effective, and aggressive searches, using the most up-to-date data and research developed through the Firefighter Rescue Survey. Crews were able to take those concepts from the classroom directly into realistic, hands-on scenarios designed to challenge decision-making, search techniques, and overall fireground performance.

A huge THANK YOU to First Security Bank for allowing us to use a local two-story building scheduled for demolition. Having access to an acquired structure gave our crews multiple scenario options and the opportunity to train in an environment that closely represents the challenges firefighters face on the fireground.

We also want to thank OPCON for providing realistic training smoke throughout the course. The reduced visibility and realistic conditions added another level to the scenarios and allowed our firefighters to train in a realistic environment.

Quality training takes quality instructors, realistic conditions, and strong community partners. We appreciate everyone who helped make this training possible and gave our firefighters another opportunity to sharpen the skills that matter when lives are on the line.

Train with purpose. Search with purpose. Do it Right.

opcon_fire
fsbank

🚨 THEY ARE BACK! 🚨

Destin Fire and all of the Northwest FL assets are back! Engine 9 rolled back into station early afternoon, got unloaded and went to spend quality time with their families. These 6 individuals (2 not pictured) spent a total of 18 days traveling and working in the Texas Wildfires and are happy to be home. Great job to all involved!

Each and every one of them wanted to send a special thank you to all of the people in the possum kingdom area that took care of them. There will be a special shout out to the amazing people of Texas that are now connected to Destin ln Fire personnel in the best way.

Welcome back!

Proud of these guys! No media, no organized event, just firefighters challenging firefighters to honor and remember. Great job Engine 19!

Honoring the 343. 🇺🇸

Today, members of Destin Professional Firefighters on Engine 19 accepted a 9/11 stair climb challenge from our neighbors at Ocwfcd. The crew from Engine 19 completed 110 flights of stairs, up and down, in remembrance of the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001. 💪

Thank you to The Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village for allowing our members to use their stairwells to complete the climb and honor the occasion.

Never Forget 9/11/01.

25 years later, we remember the lives lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the sacrifice that united our nation.

Never Forget. 9.11.01 🇺🇸

Come by Station 9 today for the First responder’s cookout starting around noon to meet and talk with your first responders and local leaders.

A Big THANK YOU to thrIVefwb for providing gift cards to all of our Firefighters in honor of 9/11! We had the best community and Tucker always takes care of the local first responders!