Ascend Cares Grant Buys Thermal Imaging Cameras For Bratt, Brent, West Pensacola Fire Stations
January 7, 2021
An Ascend Cares Community Impact Grant has provided funds for a thermal imaging camera at each of three fire stations — Bratt, Brent and West Pensacola.
The $4,200 grant purchased FLIR K2 cameras to assist firefighters in a number of ways, most importantly in helping to locate fire victims faster. The lightweight cameras can withstand a 6.5 foot drop onto concrete, are water resistant and are fully operational up to 500 degrees for three minutes. Each thermal imaging camera also comes with a spare battery and charger.
“This grant for thermal imagers and the others received through the Ascend Cares grants has saved the county thousands of dollars, and significantly benefits the citizens we serve,” interim Fire Chief Paul Williams said. “I hope to equip all apparatus with a FLIR K2 thermal imaging camera, which will provide the truck officer, as well as search crews a camera, thus greatly enhancing their ability to locate victims, extinguish the seat of the fire and monitor structural conditions. These are fantastic tools for Escambia County Fire Rescue, and we would like to thank Ascend Cares, a longtime community partner with ECFR, for the grant that will positively impact the community.”
Lt. Austin Langfeldt is a volunteer firefighter with ECFR and works for Ascend Performance Materials. He has been instrumental in obtaining several grants from Ascend Cares program.
Ascend is proud to support local first responders through its nonprofit Ascend Cares Community Impact Grant program,” Langfeldt said. “ECFR is one of the busiest departments in the state, and these thermal imagers will support the front line personnel in preserving life and property throughout Escambia County. As a member of ECFR, I am happy to know that my peers will be receiving additional tools to help them perform ECFR’s mission.”
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Reach Daily Record
January 7, 2021
The number of daily COVID-19 local hospitalizations has reached record territory.
There were 268 people currently hospitalized in Escambia County on Wednesday, following a week of steady increases. During a summer surge, local COVID-19 hospitalizations reached a peak of 246 on July 20.
According to Escambia County, there were 11 adult ICU beds available in Escambia County Wednesday night – none at Baptist, one at West Florida and 10 at Sacred Heart. Of the 215 total ventilators in the county, 142 were available.
A month ago, there were 121 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the county. Six additional deaths and 460 new virus cases were reported Wednesday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Data source: Escambia County, City of Pensacola. Graphic: City of Pensacola.
A Final Farewell: Funeral Service Held For Former Molino Fire Chief Gary Diamond (With Photo Gallery)
January 7, 2021
One of Gary Diamond’s last requests was a final ride atop a Molino fire engine.
Wednesday afternoon, he took his last ride atop the Molino Station’s new Engine 18 to his final resting place in the Highland Baptist Church cemetery.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Diamond was a longtime firefighter, serving during his career as the volunteer chief in Molino, a captain at Navarre Beach and fire service instructor at Pensacola State College.
“He was more than just a man. He dedicated his life to serving and protecting others,” Diamond’s son Joseph Diamond said.
Diamond was murdered at his home during the early morning hours of December 26.
Firefighters, family and friends from across the area gathered for Diamond’s funeral Wednesday at Olive Baptist Church and a graveside service at Highland Baptist. In the cemetery, a fireman’s bell tolled in his honor, “Amazing Grace” was played on a bagpipe, and an Escambia County Fire dispatcher conducted a “last call” over the county’s fire radio system.
“Escambia to Chief Gary Diamond,” the dispatcher called with no response.
“Escambia to Chief Gary Diamond,” the dispatcher said, her voice resounding across the handheld radios at the graveside service.
The radio silence was broken again, this time by tones used to alert firefighters to important information, followed by:
“There is no response from Chief Gary Diamond. Chief Diamond has answered his last call. The members of Escambia County Fire Rescue wish to thank Chief Gary Diamond and his family for his years of service to the citizens of Escambia County. Although he is gone, he will never be forgotten. Escambia clear.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Diamond joined the Ensley Volunteer Fire Department in 1982 before transferring to Molino. He worked his way through the ranks to assistant chief of the Molino Volunteer Fire Department in 1987 and went on to serve as Molino chief from November 1992 to September 1993. He was currently volunteering as a fleet transport driver for Escambia Fire Rescue, moving fire apparatus around the county as needed.
“I was saddened and heartbroken to hear the news about Gary this morning,” Interim Escambia Fire Rescue Chief Paul Williams said. “He was not only a longtime part of Escambia Fire Rescue, but a longtime friend as well.”
“He was very nice with a very laid back kind of attitude. He was obviously willing to give and volunteer his time, and willing to serve the community,” Williams added.
Diamond was a captain at Navarre Beach Fire Rescue for a decade, retiring to take care of a family member. He recently returned to Navarre Beach Fire, pulling extra shifts as a fill-in captain.
“He worked his way up through the ranks until he retired as captain of C Shift,” Navarre Beach Fire Rescue Chief Danny Fureigh said. “He was an extremely well educated, well seasoned firefighter known throughout the area.”
Fureigh said that Diamond was always there for the department – always around cooking and volunteering at department events.
“He was always there. He and his family were a big part of us,” the Navarre Beach fire chief said. “He never met a stranger, would give you the shirt off his back. He was legitimately a good guy…this is a horrific event.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Central Water Works Cancels Annual Meeting Due To Pandemic
January 7, 2021
Central Water Works has canceled their annual membership meeting due to the pandemic.
The meeting was scheduled for Monday, January 11.
Copies of audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending October 21, 2020, will be available by request on January 12. Anyone needing further information can call the utility at (850) 256-3849.
Central Water Works serves about 1,000 members in the McDavid, Century and Flomaton areas.
DeSantis Visits Vaccination Site At Olive Baptist Church
January 7, 2021
Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited a COVID-19 vaccination site operated by Ascension Sacred Heart at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.
The Governor was joined at the event by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, state Senator Doug Broxson and state Representatives Alex Andrade and Michelle Salzman.
Ascension Sacred Heart has completed vaccinating their frontline health care workers and are expanding their efforts to the community.
The hospital will have administered 3,500 vaccinations in two days at Olive Baptist and the Milton Community Center by the end of Thursday. These vaccinations were reserved for individuals 65 years of age and older and were available by appointment only. All of the appointment slots have been filled.
DeSantis was joined by Florida by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, state Senator Doug Broxson and state Representatives Alex Andrade and Michelle Salzman.
Local Legislative Delegation Meets Next Week To Discuss ECUA, Local Funding Requests
January 7, 2021
The local legislation delegation will hold a public hearing next week to discuss items that may go before the Florida Legislature this session.
The delegation will consider local bills, including an act that would implement term limits and oversight of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. The delegation will discuss legislative action ratifying the negotiated terms, requirements and amounts of the pension plan and collective bargaining agreement between the City of Pensacola and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 707.
Delegation members will also hear presentations from government entities, organizations, and take public comment on proposals for the 2021 regular session of the Florida Legislature.
The meeting will be Tuesday, January 19 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at the Paul Amos Performance Studio at 1000 College Boulevard in Pensacola.
The Escambia County legislative delegation consists of Sen. Doug Broxson, Rep. Michelle Salzman and Rep. Alex Andrade.
Molino Man Charged With Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon
January 6, 2021
A Molino man has been charged after allegedly pointing a gun at a person inside his house.
Gordon Alexander Wright, 62, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed robbery complaint to 6000 block of Highway 95A in Molino.
A victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that he picked up an elderly female a gas station in Century. When arrived at her residence on Highway 95 near Highland Baptist Church in Molino, the woman told the victim that she was returning to his vehicle to retrieve her debit card so she could withdraw money to reimburse him for gas. They went to the store at the corner of Highway 95A and Molino Road, but she was unable to withdraw money.
When they returned to her residence, the victim said he saw what he believed to be his blue credit card and $20 in her right hand. The victim confronted her, and she invited him into the residence. Inside, Wright was sitting cross-legged on the floor pointing a handgun at him, according to an ECSO arrest report. Wright allegedly told him not to worry about his stuff and to get off his property.
When deputies arrived, Wright was sitting on a couch next to a shotgun and stated that he was not coming out, the report states. Deputies were able to take him into custody without further incident, noting that he appeared highly intoxicated. They located handgun on his person with a magazine and six rounds of ammunition, the report continues.
The female told deputies that she had a blue debit card belonging to Wright, and deputies confirmed that it was in his wallet. There were no items belonging to the victim found Wright’s possession or in the possession of the woman.
The female was not charged with any crime. Wright is not a convicted felon, so the weapons will be returned.
Wright was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Florida Carjacking Suspect Police Chase Ends With Crash In Flomaton
January 6, 2021
Escambia County (FL) deputies pursued a car jacking suspect into Alabama Tuesday night before performing a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit.
The deputies were pursuing a Ford pickup truck that was reportedly taken during a carjacking in Okaloosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol chased the vehicle through parts of Santa Rosa County before losing sight of the vehicle somewhere in the Cantonment area, according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Amber Southard. Deputies in Century spotted the vehicle in the area of Highway 29 and East Highway 4 and gave chase. The pursuit crossed state lines into Flomaton.
Escambia County (FL) deputies performed a PIT maneuver — a tactical maneuver that causes a driver to lose control and stop — at the intersection of Sidney Manning Boulevard (Highway 29) and Poplar Street in Flomaton. The pickup truck came to rest in front of the Advance Auto Parts store, and the driver was taken into custody.
The suspect, identified as 22-year old Trevor William Faubel of Crestview, was arrested by Flomaton Police and charged with bringing stolen property into the State of Alabama, theft of property first degree and driving with a suspended or revoked license, according to Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson.
Faubel was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton to await a bond hearing on the Alabama charges and extradition back to Florida where he is expected to face multiple charges in Okaloosa and Escambia counties.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the end of the pursuit in Flomaton, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Wanted On Tennessee Charges Arrested After Highway 29 Traffic Stop
January 6, 2021
A Century woman wanted on multiple charges in Tennessee is behind bars after a traffic stop in Escambia County.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year old Amber Hixon Bradshaw was traveling “in excess of 90 mph” when a deputy stopped her vehicle on Highway 29 in the area of Mystic Springs Road.
A records check revealed Bradshaw had outstanding warrants from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for two counts of petit theft and failure to appear on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of Xanax, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bradshaw remained in the Escambia County Jail as a fugitive from justice awaiting extradition back to Tennessee.
Farmers, Forest Landowners Can Now Apply For Hurricane Sally FSA Emergency Assistance
January 6, 2021
Local farmers and forest landowners can now apply for additional Hurricane Sally assistance.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages eligible producers to apply for for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP). Registration opened Monday and will continue through March 4.
The activation of the ECP and EFRP programs are for those with farmland and private forestland damaged by natural disasters in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. This assistance is in addition to FSA disaster loans through the Secretarial designations for Hurricane Sally-impacted producers in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Holmes, Washington, Calhoun, Gadsden, Jackson, and other contiguous counties. Enrollment for ECP and EFRP will be facilitated by county FSA offices, as with loans and other disaster assistance programs.
“Farmers and producers in the Florida Panhandle have suffered serious natural disasters and setbacks the past few years, including major flooding and up to 100 percent crop losses from Hurricane Sally,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “With enrollment for additional federal disaster assistance opening today, I encourage all impacted producers to contact their county Farm Service Agency office and apply before the deadline, as they replant and rebuild in 2021.”
USDA has developed a disaster assistance discovery tool specifically targeted to rural and agricultural issues. The tool walks producers through five questions that generate personalized results identifying which USDA disaster assistance programs can help them recover from a natural disaster. USDA also encourages residents and small businesses in impact zones to contact USDA offices which meet their individual needs. Producers can find more information on programs and services at farmers.gov.
Pictured: Hurricane Sally damage in Escambia County. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
