Bay County, Florida Emergency Services

09/16/2026

Help us welcome Battalion Chief Ed Griffin to Bay County Fire Rescue as we continue highlighting the leaders helping guide our organization forward.

Chief Griffin joined Bay County in February 2026, bringing more than 30 years of fire service, emergency management, safety and training experience. He retired from the Orlando Fire Department in 2019 as a district chief after 26 years of service in operations, health and safety, public education, training and other leadership roles.

His experience also includes industrial fire protection and emergency management, along with leadership in a combination fire department where he helped strengthen and expand firefighter training programs. Griffin is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program and holds several state and national fire and safety credentials.

In addition to his civilian career, Griffin has served in the military for more than 38 years and is a senior non-commissioned officer.

Please join us in welcoming him to the team.

09/15/2026

FREE CERT BASIC TRAINING COURSE – OCT. 12-15 AND 17

Interested in helping first responders and your community during an emergency? Registration is now open for Bay County’s free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training Course.

Participants will learn disaster preparedness, first aid, light search and rescue, and the role CERT volunteers play during emergencies. Trained volunteers may assist with call centers, traffic control, emergency operations, and volunteer and donation management during disasters.

Training will be held at the Bay County Emergency Operations Center from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 12-15 and from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 17.

Register today: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4CA4A829A2FCC16-65436797-cert

09/11/2026

Today, Bay County was honored to join the City of Panama City - Government and community partners for Panama City's ceremony remembering the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

Although weather moved the ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 indoors, the meaning of the occasion remained unchanged.

Commissioner Daniel Raffield and Bay County Emergency Services Chief Austin Pugh were among those who spoke during the ceremony, recognizing the courage and sacrifice of the first responders, military members, and everyday Americans who answered the call to serve.

Bay County is proud to stand with our community in honoring those we lost, those who served and all who continue to serve today.

We will never forget.

09/10/2026

Bay County Fire Rescue’s Sandhills Station this week hosted more than 100 firefighters from across the area for training focused on aggressive, effective fireground tactics and improving survivability for both victims and firefighters.

Bay County’s Deputy Chief Curt Isakson, a nationally recognized fire service instructor, offered a course entitled “Water on the Fire” in two sessions wherein firefighters from Naval Support Activity-Panama City, Pace, Springfield, Lynn Haven, Callaway, Panama City Beach took part.

The training focused on getting water on the fire quickly, making sound initial tactical decisions, and using coordinated fire attack to support rescue efforts and give trapped occupants the best possible chance of survival.

Isakson’s training also provides an opportunity for firefighters who routinely respond alongside one another through automatic and mutual aid agreements to train together, strengthen relationships, and build a more coordinated regional response.

“Distance creates divide,” Isakson said, “and by coming together like this and meeting they get to hang out with each other but also learn something while doing it.”

Isakson will return to the Sandhills station on Oct. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for “Special Operations: Heavy Rescue Operations.” That course will cover heavy vehicle stabilization, rescue techniques, tactical coordination and real-world scenarios involving incidents such as dump trucks, commercial vehicles and highly compressed trauma situations.

“This is specialized training many area firefighters have not previously had access to, and we’re excited to offer it,” Isakson said.

The course is free and open to any interested fire service personnel. For more information about how to sign up, please email [email protected].

09/09/2026

Congratulations to Bay County's Battalion Chiefs Matt Gothard and Ed Griffin for placing first overall at the third annual Washington County Fire Games. And congratulations also goes to Capt. Ike Smith for his third overall finish. Way to go, guys!

https://washingtoncounty.news/2026/09/08/fire-games-unite-washington-county-firefighters-in-competition-and-remembrance/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUOi_hwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4ZcJ6S1YjqCA6F2AHTPBTt2cgCyzYMqSqox6Sw_vnWzQ0ZSPxSSVZ9R3xt3A_aem_Lt1xKpzScbbVX-mfOFlUSg

Washington County firefighters once again put their strength, speed, and teamwork to the test during the third annual Washington County Fire Games, held Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Possum Palace in Wausau. Introduced by Greenhead District Chief Greg Cole in 2024, the event continues to highlig...

09/08/2026

A lithium-ion battery-powered scooter caught fire this past weekend beneath a rear porch at a home in unincorporated Panama City Beach. The device was not connected to a charger when the fire occurred, a reminder that lithium-ion batteries can pose a fire risk even when they are not charging.

Bay County Emergency Services and automatic aid partners from Panama City Beach Fire Rescue and NSA Panama City Fire responded to the reported structure fire. First-arriving crews found the scooter had been moved to the roadway and continued cooling the device and damaged battery pack.

We encourage residents to remain vigilant with battery-powered scooters, e-bikes and other mobility devices at all times. Watch for unusual heat, swelling, changes in shape or color, unusual odors, leaking, popping or hissing sounds, or smoke.

If a lithium-ion battery begins smoking or catches fire, get out, stay out, and call 911. Do not place damaged batteries or devices in household trash or ordinary recycling. Residents may drop off lithium-ion batteries at the Steelfield Landfill at no cost. The landfill does not accept hazardous waste from commercial businesses.

09/08/2026

There are SIX spots remaining in the Bay County Citizens Academy beginning Monday, Sept. 21.

The free classes will give residents a behind-the-scenes look at how county government works. The academy also includes a daylong field trip to several county facilities, including the Water Treatment Plant, Animal Control, Emergency Operations Center and Bay County Gun Range.

Classes are held Monday mornings. Learn more and register: https://www.baycountyfl.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/321

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

Bay County Fire Rescue was honored to host more than 20 Rutherford High School students at the Thomas Drive Station this morning as part of the school’s inaugural Firefighter I program.

Commissioner Daniel Raffield, who helped conceptualize the program, welcomed the class and encouraged students as they begin the two-year curriculum designed to provide a pathway into the fire service. Fire Rescue leadership introduced students to the department, discussed the expectations and opportunities of the profession, and led a tour of the station and apparatus.

Students who complete the program can graduate with Firefighter I certification and continue their training through Gulf Coast State College, creating a pathway from the classroom to a career in the fire service and helping develop the next generation of county firefighters.

09/04/2026

Helping a lost pet find its way home just got a little easier.

Bay County Animal Control Manager Serina Junger demonstrates how residents can use one of the county’s new microchip scanners to check a lost or stray pet for a chip, with a goal of reuniting the lost animal with its owner.

Bay County installed the first of 10 scanners this week at the Thomas Drive Fire Station, located at 2913 Navy Blvd., Panama City Beach. Some of the planned areas include county fire stations at the West End, Southport, Highland Park, and Sandhills.

The scanner provides the pet’s microchip number, which can then be used to identify the microchip company or registry and begin the process of locating the owner. The scanner does not display the owner’s personal information.

Please remember: These locations provide access to the scanners but do not take custody of found animals. The finder remains responsible for the animal until it can be reunited with its owner or turned over to Bay County Animal Control.