Join Ted as he takes a trip through the Official Car Wash of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce at Tommy's Express Car Wash. | |
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital received the American Heart Associations Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. | |
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HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has been honored with the Excellence for Maternal Care Award! This recognition from the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration highlights our exceptional care for mothers and newborns. We're proud to be among 31 facilities statewide that exceeded the Healthy People 2030 target for cesarean section rates among low-risk first-time moms.
A huge thank you to our dedicated teams and supportive partners for making both of these achievements possible!
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Click on event below to register NOW for our Upcoming Chamber Events.
Don't forget to apply your discount, Click here
(Discount only applies to First Friday Coffee, Nothing But Networking, & Business After Hours)
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Upcoming Committee Meetings: Are you seeking opportunities for professional development and personal growth. Come to one or all nine of our chamber committees to see what the buzz is about! | |
Greg Lambert, FASTSIGNS | Renee Stejskal, Apex Coating USA | Stephania Ruiz, IXL Real Estate Florida | Chris Leavenworth, Destin Harvest | Bob & Olha Arnds, Okaloosa Water Systems | Lionel James, MarineMax | Keyoko Russo & Christel Prater, It's A Match LLC | Tina Carlino-Peake, Whitworth Builders Realty, Inc | Josh Finley, Child Guardians, Inc. | Jessica Alea, Proverbs 31 Holdings | Bill Weckel & Troy Ruprecht, Start That Thing | Gina Sage, Fort Walton Beach Development Center | Terri Jenkins, American Red Cross | |
Check out these short tutorial videos that provide a step-by-step guide on how to navigate through the online Member Information Center (MIC). These instructional videos will show you how to update your profile, add keywords, add job postings, register for chamber events/add your benefit discount, add events to chamber community calendar, pay invoices and much more! | |
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EXERCISE-SIMULATION PLANNED: Destin - Fort Walton Beach Airport( VPS) in partnership with Eglin Air Force Base will be holding an exercise Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 that will simulate a major airline crash. General Bond Blvd. will be closed from 8 am until noon. Motorists may see smoke, people with simulated injuries, and emergency medical services from Eglin and Okaloosa County responding to the exercise where General Bond Boulevard and Highway 85 connect, along with the Destin Fort Walton Beach Airport’s cargo area.
The exercise will include participation from Eglin’s fire department; Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety, to include emergency management and emergency medical services; Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office; 96th Security Forces Squadron; 96th Medical Group; Air Methods; HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital; HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital; and District One Medical Examiner’s Office.
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What: The Healthy Communities group of Okaloosa County Health Improvement Partnership (OCHIP) is holding a press conference to kick off Pedestrian Safety Month in October.
When: October 2, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Where: Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Council Chambers in Shalimar —1250 Eglin Parkway N Shalimar, FL 32579
Speakers: Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County Health Officer Elizabeth “Beth” Smith, Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners Chairman Paul Mixon, City of Crestview Mayor JB Whitten, City of Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage, and Capt. Jason Fulgham and Deputy Brian Mulbach from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The press conference will provide more information on Pedestrian Safety Month and upcoming Pedestrian Safety Month activities.
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Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon was recently appointed to serve as a policy leader in Florida Association of Counties’ (FAC) 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 & 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 and 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬 policy committees. FAC’s policy committees are responsible for proposing, debating and adopting policy positions that focus on improving and preserving home rule of Florida’s counties.
The Health, Safety & Justice Committee deals with public policies that encompass the following: behavioral and mental health, healthcare and human services funding, healthcare and human services policy, emergency medical services, law enforcement, juvenile justice and corrections, substance use disorder prevention and treatment, emergency management, emergency communication and judiciary – Article V.
The Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee deals with public policies that encompass the following: agriculture, rural development programs, rural infrastructure, rural housing, fiscally-constrained counties and food access.
Learn more about FAC’s policy committees at https://www.fl-counties.com/advocacy/policy-action-center/
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NEW CITY EMPLOYEE HELPS SAVE LIFE OF WOMAN SUFFERING OVERDOSE
We'd like to congratulate and thank new City of Fort Walton Beach employee Alexis Atkinson, who works at Beal Memorial Cemetery, for helping to save the life of a woman experiencing an overdose.
Alexis had only been on the job for a week when she noticed a car pull into the cemetery. The driver was panicked, screaming and crying on the phone, so Alexis drove her cart over to check on her.
“She (the driver) said she needed me to call 911 because her sister (a passenger in the car) was overdosing,” said Atkinson. “I told her I had Narcan, and I ran to my truck to get it.”
Alexis administered the Narcan and helped keep the woman stabilized until emergency personnel arrived and transported her to the hospital.
“I have many friends who have died to addiction,” said Alexis, including one close friend who passed away this year because no one had Narcan to administer to him.
“Ever since then, I’ve told myself that I’m always going to have Narcan on me,” she said.
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FWB FIREFIGHTERS CLIMB STAIRS IN MEMORY OF 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS
Fort Walton Beach Fire Department firefighters climbed stairs at the 16-story tall Presidio Yacht Club Condominium Wednesday to honor fellow first responders who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Weighed down with about 70 pounds of gear each, eight firefighters collectively walked up and down 110 flights of stairs, one flight for each floor of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers.
For Fire Department Captain Vince Musick, the stair climb was a way to honor those firefighters who perished in the Twin Towers and serve as a reminder of the daily dangers of the job.
“There are guys who got up not realizing when they were leaving their house that morning that it may be the last time they’d see their loved ones,” said Musick. “This keeps me grounded; it reminds me that every day is a gift.”
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NICE WEATHER AND GREAT MUSIC MAKE FOR GOOD TIME AT FWB LANDING
We’ve had great weather for our last two Concerts at the Landing: Below Alabama on Sept. 13 and One False Move on Sept. 20. Next up….We welcome the Zack Miller Band to the stage at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
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Okaloosa County School District Releases 2023-2024 Annual Report Highlighting Educational Excellence and Community Impact
The Okaloosa County School District is proud to present its 2023-2024 Annual Report, which comprehensively looks at its remarkable achievements and ongoing commitment to educational excellence. As an A+ school district, the report highlights the accomplishments of our students, teachers, staff, and administrators, reflecting a shared dedication to fostering academic success and preparing future leaders.
It also showcases key milestones in safety, modern innovation, continuous learning, and community engagement. Additionally, we celebrate the transformative impact of the half-cent sales tax, which has significantly benefited our district. “The collaborative efforts of our students, teachers, administrators, school board, and community partners are the foundation of the Okaloosa County School District,” stated Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “We are proud to share our vision for the Next Generation of Okaloosa Schools with all our stakeholders. Together, we will create an environment where every student thrives and uphold our district’s reputation for educational excellence.” To view the annual report, click here.
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Niceville High School Students to Represent at Prestigious Marine Science Conference in Japan
This November, a select group of students from Niceville High School's renowned Gifted Program will embark on an extraordinary journey to Shizuoka, Japan, to present their groundbreaking research at the prestigious Second World Congress of Marine Stations. Led by Richard A. Hernandez, M.Ed., Mem. MBA, the program has earned global recognition as the only high school participating in the international NaGISA marine biodiversity project. This rare distinction has provided Niceville students invaluable international scientific collaboration and personal growth opportunities. Read more...
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Interested in property related to your business? SBDC expert Joe can help. Sign up to tune in Wednesday, Oct. 2 from noon to 1 p.m. for a commercial real estate workshop designed for small business owners. Joe will guide you through understanding the differences between properties, defining your needs, navigating the transaction process, and securing financing. Whether you're leasing your first office or expanding your space, you'll gain valuable insights. Register at no cost now, and mark your calendar to not miss out on key info about your area. tinyurl.com/commercial-property-sbdc
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Banks said no? Or do you think they will? Sign up for this small business cash flow webinar in October to get the info about how to create solutions and find ways forward. The SBDC's partner expert Boyd with Otro Financial is a resource you want to have in your back pocket. Don't wait, register today for free! tinyurl.com/when-banks-say-no-oct
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