Niceville Fire Department

05/23/2026

Meet the Firefighter 🔥

B Shift Lieutenant Charles Brechler has 9 years of experience in the fire service. He takes pride in giving back to the same community he grew up in.

Outside of the station, you can usually find him boating, riding motorcycles, or doing some DIY mechanic’ing in the garage.

Thank you for your dedication and continued service to the community. We’re proud to have you on the team.

05/21/2026

What’s that tool? 🤔

Pictured first is the Glas-Master Glass Removal Tool. A bright yellow, manual rescue tool used to quickly and safely cut laminated automotive glass. No electricity or hydraulics needed. It helps crews gain fast access during vehicle extrication.

Next is the Spreader, better known as the “Jaws” or “Scissor” tool. It uses powerful hydraulic force to open doors, pop latches, and create space in crushed vehicles for rescue.

05/15/2026

When seconds matter, this cardiac monitor becomes one of the most important tools on scene.

Every rescue carries one—giving crews real-time cardiac activity and vital signs the moment they arrive. Fast information. Quick decisions. Better patient care.

Because critical calls don’t wait… and neither do we. ⚡

05/05/2026

Meet the Firefighter 🔥

B Shift Engineer Zech Wolfgramm has been in the fire service for 4 years. He got into the field after some encouragement to pursue a more meaningful career (his wife told him the rockstar life wasn’t in the cards)—and it’s been a great fit ever since.

Fun fact: one of his bucket list goals is to stay healthy enough to run and play with his great-grandchildren.

Thanks for your dedication, Zechariah. Proud to have you on the NFD team.

04/30/2026

04/28/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – “Boundary Drop” Response Model to take effect May 1st, 2026

Niceville, FL - The Niceville Fire Department, in coordination with East Niceville Fire District, and Valparaiso Fire Department, will begin a boundary drop response model starting on May 1st, 2026.
A boundary drop response model has the closest agency, regardless of jurisdiction, responding to all emergencies between all agencies. Previously, independent agencies responded to their respective jurisdictional incidents, which in some cases did not allow for the closest unit response.
GIS analysis was used to determine the closest primary unit to each location, and that unit will be dispatched regardless of jurisdiction. This change will mainly affect EMS calls and other single fire engine responses. Fires and other large incidents have already been handled using multi-jurisdictional responses from all closest available agencies.

This arrangement will speed up response times and provide a more effective response to all citizens within the three jurisdictions. In some cases, 911 callers may see units arrive up to 3–4 minutes earlier under the boundary drop response model. Residents in both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Niceville, as well as Valparaiso, may begin to see units from neighboring jurisdictions responding to emergencies after this change takes effect.

Niceville Fire Department Chief Alex Kukulus emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “We appreciate the growing relationship between the three fire departments. The ability to collaborate, train together and respond with the closest unit puts the community first. When people call 911, they don't care about the color of the truck or the patch on the firefighter’s shoulder. They just care that a well-trained professional arrives as quickly as possible to care for their loved one or to handle their emergency. This takes us one step closer to that goal and begins to find more efficiencies amongst our agencies.”

For more information, please contact Shannettra Francis, Public Information Officer at [email protected].

04/22/2026

UPDATE:🔥The 96th Test Wing will conduct a planned wildfire containment operation on the Eglin Test and Training Complex northeast of Eglin AFB tomorrow, April 22.

Area residents may see a large plume of smoke between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., resulting from the burn.

For more information, please contact the 96th Test Wing public affairs office at (850) 882-4485.
53rd Wing | Eglin FSS | 33rd Fighter Wing | 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing | The 7th Special Forces Group | AFMS - Eglin - 96 Medical Group

04/20/2026

04/17/2026

Persistent Drought Conditions Increase Chances for Wildfire 🔥
****There is no burn ban as of Thursday, April 16, 2026****

Okaloosa County officials are working closely with the Florida Forest Service to monitor conditions and evaluate the need for possible burn bans. One such condition is the Keetch Byram Drought Index (KBDI). KBDI is a continuous reference scale to estimate the dryness of the soil. The index increases for each day without rain (the amount of increase depends on the daily high temperature) and decreases when it rains. The scale ranges from 0 (no moisture deficit) to 800 (high moisture deficit).

Average KBDI for our areas is 423 (412 Escambia, 402 Okaloosa and 446 Santa Rosa). Normal range for late spring is 261-460, according to the Florida Forest Service.

As our area continues to feel the effects of prolonged drought, the risk of wildfires steadily increases and officials are urging extreme caution for any and all outdoor burning or potentially hazardous activities.

While there are no county-issued burn bans in place at this time, residents should refrain from burning yard debris, be extremely careful with any campfires or cooking fires and be mindful when parking vehicles, ATVs, etc., in tall, grass or over leaves.

Seventy-percent of all wildfires in our area last year were human caused and avoidable with nearly 50% of the causes coming from yard debris or equipment/vehicle use.

Drought conditions are not expected to dissipate in the near future and the Florida Forest Service has suspended authorizations for prescribed burning and large pile burning until further notice.

A prolonged drought results in a high KBDI and influences fire intensity largely because more fuel is available for combustion (i.e. fuels have a lower moisture content). In addition, the drying of organic material in the soil can lead to increased difficulty in fire suppression and significant smoke production.

Other weather factors, such as wind, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric stability, play a major role in determining the actual fire danger.

04/16/2026

Meet the Firefighter: Battalion Chief Edition 🚒

A Shift Battalion Chief Chris Russano plays a vital role in keeping the community safe with 13 years of service.

For Chief Russano, the fire service is about more than emergency response—it’s about creating safety, stability, and trust. From handling emergencies to focusing on prevention through education and preparedness, he helps protect lives and property every day.

Beyond the calls, he values building strong community connections and creating a sense of reassurance that helps people feel safe in their homes.

After a long call? You can find him recharging with a Jersey Mike’s sub.

Thank you for your leadership and dedication, Chief Russano!