Navarre Beach Fire Rescue

We want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who participated in and supported our 9/11 Stair Climb Fundraiser.
With more than 150 people in attendance, we raised $3,221 to help offset the cost of gear for three of our lifeguards as they take the next step and attend the fire academy.

We are especially grateful to the Fountain Family, owners of Windjammers on the Pier, for being our largest donor.

The Navarre Beach Fire District is still accepting donations for this effort. Donations can be made payable to the Navarre Beach Fire District.

Thank you for standing behind our lifeguards, our department, and our community. We couldn't do it without you!

Turned out to be a beautiful event in spite of the weather.

2026, 911 Memorial Stair Climb at Navarre Beach - 850 FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY Hello and welcome to 850 Fire Photography. Steve Clark is a native of Chatham, N.J. and has lived in Gulf Breeze, Florida since 2003. Retired from law enforcement, with over 30 years of experience. I am also an exempt member of the Chatham Fire Department. Hobbies include amateur photography and is....

Why does the fire department have a boat? It’s a question I’ve been asked many times since becoming Fire Chief four months ago, and an incident early this morning is a clear example of why it matters.

At 4:12 AM on 9/5, Navarre Beach Fire Rescue’s boat was dispatched after a 19 year old male attempted su***de by jumping from the top of the Navarre Beach bridge. Holley Navarre Fire District responded to the shoreline near the park while our crew launched from Juana’s boat ramp.

Against all odds, the young man survived the fall. When our rescue boat arrived at 4:30, he was clinging to a bridge pylon. Firefighters were able to reach him, pull him aboard, and transfer him safely to EMS so he could receive the help he needed.

This is not the first time the boat has made a life saving difference. A year and a half ago—on the “snow day”—two 12 year olds were blown nearly a mile offshore on a raft in 40 mph winds. The rescue boat was the only reason those children made it home.

And many in our community remember March 2015, when a Blackhawk helicopter crashed off the causeway at midnight. At that time, no local agency had a rescue-capable vessel. Responders could do little more than stand on shore or rely on private citizens’ boats. I recall speaking with Fire Chief Danny Fureigh about how deeply that night affected him and others. It was a turning point.
Chief Fureigh worked with the state legislature to secure funding for a vessel designed specifically for our community—one capable of water rescue and firefighting operations. That investment continues to save lives.

Navarre Beach Fire Rescue pays $2,800 annually to insure the boat, plus routine maintenance. It is a small cost for a critical capability.

Outstanding work by B Shift—Capt. Arsenault, FF Kenny, and FF Sites (first day on the job), along with Holley Navarre Fire District Engine 45 and Battalion Chief Martino. Their coordinated response ensured a young man survived a night that could have ended very differently.

Chief Kanzigg

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Congratulations to our very own Firefighter Stephen Kenny and Lifeguard Cole Burton (also a full-time FF with Midway Fire District) for successfully completing the Paramedic program at George Stone Technical School. Pictured with Fire Chief Kanzigg and Beach Safety Division Chief Turnbull.

Please get out and vote today!

🚨 THE COST OF FIREFIGHTING HAS CHANGED. OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THIS COMMUNITY HASN’T. 🚨

Take a look at these numbers.
In 2020, the equipment needed to outfit one firefighter cost approximately $6,750.

Today? More than $22,000.
And it doesn’t stop there.

🚒 A fire engine that cost around $400,000 in 2020 can now cost $850,000–$1 MILLION.

These aren't luxuries. This is the equipment our firefighters depend on when someone calls 911.

This is why the referendum matters.

The cost of providing emergency services has increased dramatically, while Holley-Navarre continues to grow. We have to be able to properly equip our firefighters, maintain our apparatus, retain qualified personnel, and continue providing the level of emergency response our community expects.

We are less than ONE WEEK from Election Day - Tuesday, Aug18.

Early voting is happening NOW, and many of our residents have already cast their ballots.

Before you vote, please look at the numbers. Ask questions. Learn what the referendum means for our Fire District and our community.

Then make your voice heard.

🔥 The need is real. The numbers are real. And your vote matters.

Letter written from bystander on last weeks cardiac arrest:

Good afternoon, Chief,

While enjoying a typical beach day on Navarre Beach, my family and I unfortunately witnessed a cardiac arrest.

Earlier, we watched one of your lifeguards, Joe, check on the family twice for unrelated concerns. Each interaction was handled with professionalism, respect, and kindness.

Unfortunately, the man later went into cardiac arrest while in the water. Joe and my husband, Tim Kofoet (FFII with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Virginia ), pulled him from the water, and Joe immediately recognized that he was in cardiac arrest.

While performing CPR, Joe accepted assistance from both my husband and I while simultaneously directing bystanders to clear the area, retrieve his radio to call for additional help, and maintain control of the scene. His composure and leadership were exceptional.

Once additional personnel arrived, scene management was transitioned to Supervisor Austin, who continued to lead the resuscitation in what I can only describe as a textbook pit crew approach. The AED was applied within seconds, and the LUCAS device was positioned and secured correctly and efficiently. As an EMS instructor, I was incredibly impressed by the team’s skill, coordination, and professionalism.

The teamwork demonstrated by your lifeguards, the responding crews, and everyone involved speaks volumes about your department. I understand the unfortunate nature of these situations and that the outcome is not always within anyone’s control. However, if that man had any chance of survival, your crew played an integral role in giving him that opportunity.

I hope you will let Joe, Austin, and the rest of the responding personnel know that their professionalism, calm demeanor, leadership, and compassion did not go unnoticed.

After the incident, once the patient had been transported, both Joe and Austin individually approached my husband and I to personally thank us for assisting. That simple gesture again spoke volumes about the character of your members.

Please extend our sincere gratitude to your department and crews for keeping your community and its visitors safe. The work they do every day is appreciated more than they may ever realize.

If there is ever anything we can do for your department, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Emily Kofoet, AA, NRP

Friendly reminder that we offer 3 beach wheelchairs available for free checkout!

Chairs are first come, first served (no reservations) and can be checked out during the following times:• 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM• 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM(Available 7 days a week)

These wheelchairs are for use on Navarre Beach only.

To check one out, simply complete a short form and provide a copy of your driver’s license. All copies will be securely shredded once the chairs are returned.

We’re proud to help make the beach accessible for everyone!