The Destin Fire Control District has been awarded the Personal Rescue Watercraft Agency Certification by the United States Lifeguarding Association (USLA). This certification recognizes the high standards and exemplary performance of the District’s Personal Rescue Watercraft Program.

• The District’s application for certification was reviewed and approved by the USLA National Board Certification Committee, and its program was found to not only comply with but exceed current USLA guidelines.

In addition to being certified in the use of Personal Rescue Watercraft, the employees at the Destin Fire Control District are also able to develop and certify new instructors, ensuring the sustainability of the program for years to come. The District was the first agency in the area to use Personal Watercraft for rescue, according to the Destin Fire Control District.

“We would like to give special thanks to retired Encinitas Lifeguard Captain Larry Giles, who in 2006 helped the District get started in its PWC program,” wrote DFCD in a statement. “We would also like to thank Chief Joe D’Agostino and Captain Felix Romero of the Destin Fire Control District for their hard work in training employees on the ski’s and for the arduous task of attaining this certification.”

Currently, the Destin Fire Control District says they are the only nationally accredited Personal Rescue Watercraft program in the area.