Walton County Fire Rescue Reaccredited by National EMS Commission

Walton County Fire Rescue has earned reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, maintaining its standing as one of Florida's elite emergency medical service agencies.

The Commission evaluates patient care protocols, training programs, response times, disaster preparedness, equipment accountability, safety practices, and community outreach. Walton County Fire Rescue became the first fire rescue-based EMS service in the Florida Panhandle to receive CAAS accreditation in 2021 and has since expanded its advanced training programs.

"This reaccreditation validates the hard work our personnel put in every single day," Fire Rescue Chief Austin Pugh said. "From the moment a 911 call comes in, to the care delivered on scene and during transport, our teams are committed to providing the highest quality service possible."

Sheriff Michael Adkinson called the achievement significant. "The members of Walton County Fire Rescue continue to set the standard through their professionalism and compassion," he said. "Our community can take pride in knowing they are served by one of the very best EMS organizations in the state."

The voluntary accreditation process requires agencies to meet rigorous standards established by commissioners representing healthcare, business, and public safety sectors nationwide.