Staff Reports

The South Walton Fire District’s (SWFD) Fire Chief Rick Talbert was recognized on July 21, 2009 by the Florida Fire Chief Association (FFCA) as Florida Fire Chief of the Year. This award is the most distinguished honor the Florida fire service can bestow upon one of its chief fire executives. FFCA’s Fire Chief of the Year award was conceived to recognize truly outstanding fire chiefs whose acts and deeds in their profession, home, community and country serve as an example and challenge for all other fire chief executives throughout Florida.
According to the release, Talbert’s demonstrated leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public and his commitment to SWFD members, as well as contributions to the fire service as a whole, led to his selection as Fire Chief of the Year.
“I am honored and thankful to be recognized by my peers and it is truly a privilege to bring this accolade to south Walton” said Chief Talbert.