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FPL Strongly Opposes Advocacy Group’s Rate Counterproposal As ‘Illusory And Unenforceable’

Florida Power & Light is strongly opposing rate proposal made by consumer advocacy groups, calling a proposal by the Office of Public Counsel “illusory and unenforceable” and pushing the Florida Public Service Commission to reject it.

The Florida Office of Public Counsel, created by the legislature in 1974 to represent the people in utility matters, objected to a proposed FPL rate, asserting that would increase FPL’s revenues by an “unconscionable” amount.

As we previously reported , FPL and 10 key stakeholder groups filed a comprehensive four-year rate settlement agreement with state regulators . The proposed  agreement reduces FPL’s original revenue request by nearly one-third.

Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler described the stakeholders that agreed to the settlement as a “minority coalition of very large customers” and said the “majority of FPL’s customers will see significantly increased” bills. FPL said the four-year settlement would result in increased revenues of $945 million in 2026 and $766 million in 2027, with additional amounts in 2028 for battery storage and solar projects.
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The Office of Public Counsel said in the letter that the proposal would cumulatively increase FPL revenues  by $6.753 billion through 2029.

FPL was quick to file a response with the PSC.

“Simply put, what the movants (the Office of Public Counsel and the four groups) have filed is not a settlement at all,” FPL attorneys wrote in a 14-page response. “Calling the documents that the movants filed a settlement defies general common sense; walks dangerously close to a bad faith filing from a legal perspective; and, at best, is a ham-handed media stunt that attempts to turn this proceeding into a circus.”

The PSC is schedule to hear the rate case in October.

Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Ends Today

Today is the last day to save tax on clothing and school supplies.

Florida’s month-long back to school Sales Tax Holiday ends Sunday, August 31, on essential school supplies and more.

Below you can find a short snapshot list of included items, followed by a more complete detailed list.

The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday includes exemptions for:

School supplies selling for $50 or less

• Binders
• Notebooks
• Pens and pencils
• Lunch boxes

Clothing, footwear, and apparel priced at $100 or less

• Backpacks
• Pants
• Shoes
• Shirts
• Sweaters

Learning aids selling for $30 or less

• Interactive Books
• Puzzles
• Flashcards

Personal computers and accessories priced at $1,500 or less (for noncommercial home or personal use)

• Laptops
• Flash drives
• Printers
• Headphones

COMPLETE LIST

• Personal computers or personal computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use having a sales price of $1,500 or less
  • Personal computers* include:
  • Calculators
  • Desktops
  • Electronic book readers
  • Handhelds
  • Laptops
  • Tablets
  • Tower computers
    *The term does not include cellular telephones, video game consoles, digital media receivers, or devices that are not primarily designed to process data.
• Personal computer-related accessories*+ include:
  • Keyboards
  • Mice
  • Modems
  • Monitors
  • Nonrecreational software
  • Other peripheral devices
  • Personal digital assistants
  • Routers
    *The listed accessories are tax-exempt regardless of whether they are used in association with a personal computer base unit.
    + The term does not include furniture or systems, devices, software, monitors with a television tuner, or peripherals that are designed or intended primarily for recreational use.
• Wallets and bags* having a sales price of $100 or less per item, including:
  • Backpacks
  • Diaper bags
  • Fanny packs
  • Handbags
    *Briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags are excluded.
• School supplies having a sales price of $50 or less per item, including:
  • Binders
  • Cellophane tape
  • Compasses
  • Composition books
  • Computer disks
  • Construction paper
  • Crayons
  • Erasers
  • Folders
  • Glue or paste
  • Legal pads
  • Lunch boxes
  • Markers
  • Notebooks
  • Notebook filler paper
  • Pencils
  • Pens
  • Poster board
  • Poster paper
  • Protractors
  • Rulers
  • Scissors
  • Staplers and staples used to secure paper products
• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles having a sales price of $30 or less:
  • Flashcards or other learning cards
  • Interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills
  • Matching or other memory games
  • Puzzle books and search-and-find books
  • Stacking or nesting blocks or sets
• Clothing, footwear, and accessories having a sales price of $100 or less per item, including:
  • Shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, shorts, and other apparel
  • Shoes, boots, sandals, and other footwear
  • Accessories such as belts, hats, gloves, and scarves

The sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. Additionally, the sales tax holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.

Local Students Receive Construction Career Days Scholarships

The Escambia County School Board recently honored students who received 2025 Northwest Florida Construction Career Days scholarships.

Over 1,300 high school students from across the area attended the event last April. Seniors who attended in-person or virtually were eligible to receive a portion of up to $50,000 in scholarship funds.

Escambia County recipients included:

Northview High School

• Jack Boutwell
• Tyler Gilmore
• Markavia Johnson
• Jaquan Richardson
• Jackson Simmons

Tate High School

• Alec Clarke
• Miller Richards
• Randy Williams

West Florida High School

• Randelaysia Grier
• Keith Washington

Students had the opportunity to operate heavy equipment and learn about bridge inspections, paving, concrete, traffic control, engineering, and more. Students were also introduced to the large number of career paths available in the transportation, structural, engineering, and building industries, and were able to interact with representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), as well as various engineering firms, and contractors looking to hire in the Northwest Florida area.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

No Road Constructions Closures Through Labor Day. Here Are Closures For The Rest Of The Week.

During the Labor Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads in Florida through 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 1.

For the remainder of the week, drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

• Interstate 110 (I-110) Resurfacing from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 98 – Drivers will encounter intermittent outside lane closures near the I-10/I-110 interchange Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Crews will be placing barrier wall from the I-10 westbound ramp to access I-110 southbound (Exit 12) to I-110 southbound at mile marker 6.
• Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent outside lane closures on Ninth Avenue, near Dunmire Street, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for signalization work.
• Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Saturday, Sept. 6, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for placement of thermoplastic striping.
• Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Saturday, Sept. 6, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
• S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Resurfacing from Gulf Beach Highway to Manchester Street – Beginning Tuesday, Sep. 2, drivers will encounter:
  • Travel lanes between Mills Avenue and Patton Drive will be reduced from 12-foot to 10-foot in width and delineated by channelizing devices while crews perform drainage, curb and gutter work in the shoulder area.
  • Nightly lane closures on Gulf Beach Highway, between County Road (C.R.) 292A and Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and resurfacing.
• U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
• Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations:
  • Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
  • On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
• Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the I-110 Ramp – The week of Sunday, Aug. 31, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
  • B Street, between Garden Street and Romana Street, is closed for stormwater management enhancements. Signs will be in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Garden Street, A Street and Romana Street.
  • Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction), as crews perform construction activities on the south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
  • Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, as crews perform utility and stormwater management enhancements.
  • On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
• I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
  • Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 4, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.

• I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions from Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 5:
  • Intermittent I-10 westbound outside lane closures will occur from 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. between mile markers 10 and 12 for materials delivery at the North Palafox Street overpass.
  • Intermittent daytime lane closures will occur on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive at the Palafox Street overpass to allow crews to complete pile driving operations. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
  • I-10 east and westbound travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, between mile markers 10 and 12, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
  • The length of the U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been permanently reduced to allow crews to complete construction activities. A concrete barrier wall and new pavement striping is in place to direct traffic through the work zone.
  • I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
  • The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.

Santa Rosa County:

• S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from south of East Bay Boulevard (C.R. 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 5, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for concrete work and paving operations.
• U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:

o   Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.

o   Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Tuesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 5.

o   A new traffic pattern will be in place beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2, on U.S. 98 from Oriole Beach Road to Greenbriar Parkway. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the reduced speed limit when traveling through the construction area, to watch for construction equipment entering and leaving the roadway, and to use caution when driving through the work zone.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

File Photo.

Perfect Sunday And Labor Day Weather Ahead

There will be plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures over the next few days, including a sunny and dry Labor Day. The weekend will be mostly sunny, with a small chance of thunderstorms starting Tuesday afternoon and continuing through Wednesday. Temperatures will remain in the mid-80s, with overnight lows in the mid-to-high 60s. The chance for rain increases slightly for Wednesday, but the rest of the week looks to be sunny and warm.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Labor Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 85. East wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

UWF Argos Use Quick Start to Dominate No. 14 Lenoir-Rhyne in Season Opener

It was a memorable start to the 2025 football season as No. 8 West Florida dominated No. 14 Lenoir-Rhyne in a top 25 opening game showdown with the Argos coming out on top 48-21.

FIRST HALF
It didn’t take long for UWF to gain possession of the ball and jump out on top after Ja’Kobe Clinton forced a fumble on the opening kickoff. The Argos gained possession at the Lenoir-Rhyne 26-yard line and took just over a minute to find the endzone when TJ Lane took a short pass from Marcus Stokes 11 yards for the first score of the game.
In the first half alone UWF scored on five of its six offensive possessions. The first three drives on offense resulted in touchdowns. With under a minute to go in the first half the Argos had taken a demanding 31-0 lead.

The longest play of the game came in first quarter and second drive for the Argos when Stokes hit junior wide receiver Tyree Holloway deep down the right sideline for a 71-yard touchdown pass.
Lenoir-Rhyne did find its way on the scoreboard with no time left in the first half following a touchdown catch by tight end Tate O’Bryan. The late quarter drive was setup originally from a 51-yard catch by Zion Agnew.

SECOND HALF
The Argos began the second half much like the first half; with a quick touchdown. Holloway snagged his second score of the night with a 33-yard touchdown catch, giving UWF a sizeable 38-7 lead.
But the Bears began to make things interesting as the visitors responded with 14 unanswered points, cutting the lead to 38-21. Lenoir-Rhyne forced a punt on the Argos next possession after cutting into the lead, but it was muffed and recoved by The Argos to set up a fresh set of downs in the redzone. The fumble was recovered by Jake Robinette at the LR 19 yard line. UWF added a field goal to create a 41-21 lead.

Stokes recorded the final score of the game a couple series later to put UWF up 48-21 after a 22-yard fake reverse handoff run to the endzone.
The Argo defense kept the Bears scoreless in the fourth quarter and held them to just 43 yards on offense. On Lenoir-Rhyne’s third possession of the fourth quarter the Argos came up with three sacks, getting one from Collin Shaw, Warren Coneway and Christian Ware-Terry.

UWF finished the game with 537 yards of total offense on just 61 plays. Lenoir-Rhyne totaled 372 yards. The Argos gave up only one sack to six sacks given up by the visitors.

KEY PERFORMANCES

• Corey Scott had a career high 172 yards receiving on nine receptions and a touchdown. His previous best was 139 yards receiving last season against Delta State. It’s just the second time Scott has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in a game at UWF.
• Marcus Stokes’ 353 yards passing was his highest mark as an Argo. Stokes also had four passing touchdowns (a career best) and two rushing touchdowns.
• Tyree Holloway had just two receptions, but both went for touchdowns. The junior totaled 104 receiving yards, including a 71-yard touchdown catch.
• Walker Robinson had nine tackles, including two tackles for loss. Robinson also produced two quarterback hurries.
• Michael Shine didn’t have to punt much, but the transfer senior made the most of his time. Shine put two punts inside the 20, including one that was downed at the two yard line.

COACH NOBLES
“The offense prepared really well. We took our lumps on offense last year with a lot of redshirt freshman. They’ve played in some tough games and have some experience now, so we expected them to play well. The reps they’ve gotten and chemistry they have, and our new offensive coordinator Donny Baker is doing a great job and called a good game tonight. I’m excited about the offense, but all three phases played well tonight.”

NEXT UP
Up next, UWF will head on the road to Owensboro, Kentucky to take on Kentucky Wesleyan. Kickoff is scheduled for Sat. Sept. 6 at noon in Steele Stadium.

White Delivers Flawless Gem In 7-4 Wahoos Win

Manager Nelson Prada leaped off the steps of the Blue Wahoos dugout in the fifth inning, embracing starting pitcher Thomas White for crafting his latest wowing effort.

If Saturday night was White’s second-to-final start at Blue Wahoos Stadium, then what a memory.

The 20-year-old wunderkind lefthander delivered his best home field outing with a five-inning, no-hit, 10-strikeout performance in the Blue Wahoos’ eventual 7-4 win against the Chattanooga Lookouts, thus delighting the customary capacity (5,038) on Fireworks Saturday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

White exited with a 2-0 lead, thus earning the Miami Marlins’ No. 1 prospect his first home win in his 10th overall start in Double-A.

“I’m seeing what we’ve been seeing a lot of times… a guy who is really good,” Prada said. “(Saturday) he was on it. He was attacking the hitters early, mixing all the pitches he has. And being Thomas White.”

The win evened the series at 3-3, heading into Sunday’s finale. An extra game was played this week due to a makeup of a rainout in Chattanooga.

Fenwick Trimble’s grand slam in the seventh inning blew open the game to a 7-0 lead, before the Lookouts got all of their runs in the ninth.

But White set the tone by silencing the Lookouts lineup after hitting the game’s leadoff batter Edwin Arroyo. White yielded four walks and another hitter reached on an error. Like he’s done in every Double-A level start, White made big pitches with runners on base, either with his fastball approaching 98-mph or array of sweeper pitches.

White, who has risen to No. 21 ranked among all MiLB prospects across all levels, lowered his Double-A earned run average to 1.59. It was the fifth time he’s struck out nine or more batters, highlighted by the record 14 he fanned in a July 26 road start against the Knoxville Smokies.

“On top of all this, he’s a great kid. I love this kid a lot,” Prada said. “I really enjoy seeing him out there, because he has a lot of confidence. I had him two years ago (at Class A Jupiter Hammerheads) when we won there (Florida State League champions). It’s a pleasure to see him pitch.”

White, a Massachusetts native, who has risen to No. 21 ranked among all MILB prospects across all levels, lowered his Double-A earned run average to 1.59. It was the fifth time he’s struck out nine or more batters, highlighted by the record 14 he fanned in a July 26 road start against the Knoxville Smokies.

After being a compensatory, first-round pick in 2023, the No. 35th player taken overall, his rise has been steady and filled with acclaim.

“He’s throwing a lot more strikes,” Prada said. “He was good there (Class A) but inconsistent. Now, he’s really more consistent in the strike zone. He’s developing his pitches better. He’s throwing harder. He’s getting better. He is really close to being where he wants to be (Major Leagues).”

Early game run support was provided by Emaarion Boyd, who led off the third inning with a double, stole third and scored on Dub Gleed’s sacrifice fly. In the fifth, Gleed scored on Michael Snyder’s double. Snyder then singled home another run before Trimble’s bases-loaded shot into the right field berm.

It was the team’s second grand slam hit this week. Even with the win, however, the Blue Wahoos lost ground to the Montgomery Biscuits who swept a doubleheader Saturday against Biloxi to expand their lead to 3.5 games in the second-half league division race.

WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Take The Molino Library Photo September Club Challenge

Are you up for a photo challenge? The Molino Photography Club has a September photo challenge, and you can participae.

Their September calendar has a different photo challenge for each day of the month. Simply take one photo each day as instructed on the calendar using your phone, DSLR or any camera. If you want, you can share your photoss with the club at their next meeting.

For a printable pdf of the calendar, click here.

The Molino Photography Club will meet on Monday, September 22 at 2 p.m. at the library. Whether you are taking photos with your phone or a professional camera, the group is open to everyone regardless of skill level. Bring your camera or smartphone and join fellow photography enthusiasts.

Click image to enlarge.

Northview Homecoming Parade Is September 19

The Northview High School Homecoming Parade will take place Friday, October 4.

The parade will line up at noon and roll at 12:30 p.m. from Northview High School. It will travel east on Highway 4 before turning on Bratt Road by the Travis Nelson Park, around the park to Ashcraft Road to Highway 99, travel north past Bratt Elementary School, turn back onto Highway 4 and end at Northview. (Note that Ashcraft Road has a very narrow shoulder with no place to park.)

The parade officially begins when it reaches Bratt Elementary School.

Some guidelines for this year’s parade include:

• No cheer stunts while riding on floats.
• We will follow the same route as the immediate prior years.
• Do not throw candy till you get to Highway 4.
• Parking for parents and participants is located behind the NHS baseball field.
• Group leaders and parents make sure to watch all children you bring to pep rally in the gym.
• All floats should be decorated before you get to Northview, only touch ups should happen on campus.
• We will be lining up and parking floats in the field next to Northview Bus loop.
  • There is NO parking in the bus loop
• All floats need to depart campus before buses get to the school or will have to wait till after dismissal at 3:20 p.m.
• Chaperones are responsible for students until parents pick them up.
  • Parents can pick up their younger participants from behind the baseball field
• Bring water for your group
• Bring your own candy and throws.

Pictured: The 2023 Northview High School homecoming parade. (The 2024 parade was canceled by weather.) NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

County Says EMS Improvements Paid Off In Large Scale Response To Walnut Hill Crash Last Saturday

Escambia County says improvements in EMS staffing and the addition of new ambulances allowed for a large-scale response to afive vehicle crash last Saturday, August 23, in Walnut Hill.

The crash shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Highway 97 south of Ernest Ward Middle School led to multiple people needing immediate medical care, according to the county. The Florida Highway Patrol reported that eight victims were transported, with two of those going to the hospital by helicopter.

Escambia County said Friday that the emergency response demonstrated the significant strides Escambia County EMS has made in improving on-scene care for critically injured patients.

“Responding to a large-scale incident with multiple patients presents complex challenges, from coordinating resources and triaging patients to delivering rapid, life-saving interventions in a high-pressure environment,” Escambia County EMS Chief Chris Watts said Friday. “I was incredibly proud of how our EMS crews performed under pressure — delivering advanced clinical care, working seamlessly with fire rescue, air medical, emergency communications and law enforcement partners, and ensuring that every patient received timely treatment and transport.”

Volunteers from the Walnut Hill Fire Station were on scene moments after the first 911 calls and took command of the scene.

For more photos from the scene, click here.

Escambia County said EMS improvements allowed then to dispatch nine EMS units to the scene without impacting emergency calls in other areas of the county or requiring assistance from other ambulance services.

Three medical helicopters — two from AirCare and one from LifeFlight — also responded. The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department responded, along with numerous  FHPl troopers, several Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission officer.

In addition to fire and EMS, Escambia County also noted the significant role played in the event by Emergency Communications.

Watts added that the EMS improvements have left the department better prepared for mass casualty-type events, in addition to day-to-day operations

“While we never hope for these types of emergencies, this response demonstrated exactly why we’ve invested in expanding our EMS fleet, increasing staff levels, and enhancing training. These resources directly impact our ability to respond effectively, improve outcomes, and maintain the trust our community places in us every day. Escambia County EMS stands ready 24/7, because when lives are on the line, we are prepared to meet the call,” Watts said.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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