Three lieutenants with Okaloosa County Beach Safety bring very different backgrounds to the same mission: keeping beachgoers safe. One is a lifelong local with a decade of military service. Another is a Tennessee transplant who turned a seasonal lifeguard gig into a career. The third is a South Florida native who showed up in 2022 and never left.

• Lt. Kalee Pirtle, Training Officer, Okaloosa County Beach Safety
• Lt. Stacy Karczewski, Lieutenant, Okaloosa County Beach Safety
• Lt. Faith Watson, Lieutenant, Okaloosa County Beach Safety

Together, they patrol the shoreline on ATVs and jet skis, watch the Gulf from lifeguard towers, run public outreach, coordinate the Junior Lifeguard program, and train guards to expect the unexpected. When the workday ends, one reaches for a cold shower and silence, another laces up for a beach run at sunset, and the third heads out for a long walk. In this edition of How I Work – sponsored by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce – all three open up about their routines, the career advice that stuck, and what it really takes to keep Okaloosa County’s coastline covered.

Are you a lifelong local? If not, where are you from originally and how did you end up in the area?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: I am originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was always a dream of mine to live where I vacationed. I applied to be a seasonal lifeguard in December of 2021, got the job, and the rest is history.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: I’m a lifelong local.

Lt. Faith Watson: I grew up in South Florida, in Fort Myers, and moved here after graduating high school in 2022. My family member got a job here with the military, and I enrolled at NWFSC. It feels like I’ve been here my whole life.

What’s your current job title and where do you work?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: I am the Training Officer for Okaloosa County Beach Safety.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: I’m a lieutenant at Okaloosa Beach Safety.

Lt. Faith Watson: I’m a Beach Safety lieutenant on Okaloosa Island – specifically, Beach Safety 5. I have a special role in public outreach as well as being the Junior Lifeguard coordinator.

What’s your morning routine?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: I always walk outside to check the weather. I love our weather guys, but as we all know, living in Florida, the weather changes with the wind.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: I eat breakfast, hit the gym, and go to work.

Lt. Faith Watson: My morning routine consists of physical movement – yoga, running, surfing, and of course, swimming.

Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: There have never been two days alike in my whole career. Being a first responder, I was taught to always expect the unexpected, and you’ll never be surprised. My day consists of educating the public on how they can safely enjoy all our beach has to offer and being there for those in need.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: I call in service, head to Ocean West – our main tower – and act as dispatch. From there, I get on the beach to cover a zone or help where I’m needed. I handle calls for the lifeguards, whatever they need, or respond to calls. I protect the lifeguards and the public. When I get off work, I call out of service and make sure everything is ready for the next day.

Lt. Faith Watson: I check the weather and beach conditions for the day. From there, I patrol the beach on an ATV or a jet ski, watch the water from a lifeguard tower, and operate radios.

What’s the first thing you do when you get to work?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: I always check the surf. Living in Florida, we all love our weather guys, but we all know the weather around here changes with the wind.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: I call in service and make sure the guards have everything they need for the day.

Lt. Faith Watson: The first thing I do when I get to work is apply SPF. To make sure I’m prepared to hit the beach, I gather my rescue fins and water and check my medical equipment. I check in with the lifeguards and tell them what to expect for the day. I create a beach text from 44144 on flag conditions and post to Facebook to let the public know how the beach looks for the day.

What tools, apps, or gadgets can’t you live without?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: WeatherBug. It notifies us anytime lightning is within 10 miles.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: I can live without all of them.

Lt. Faith Watson: Surfline is an app I love – it helps me read the tides and waves for the day. I also use Spotify every day for music.

Apple or Android?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: Apple.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: Apple.

Lt. Faith Watson: Apple. I currently have an iPhone 14 Pro.

What’s your go-to coffee or tea order?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: Southern sweet tea.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: Energy drinks.

Lt. Faith Watson: My go-to order is an iced matcha latte with vanilla cold foam.

What’s your go-to lunch spot or work snack?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: Always a tuna sandwich.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: My work snack is a can of Vienna sausages.

Lt. Faith Watson: The best lunch on the island is Burrito Del Sol – definitely my go-to. My recommendation is the Baja shrimp quesadilla with extra Baja sauce and a strawberry Jarritos.

What’s one local business you love supporting?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: Bamboo Sushi.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: The Charter Boat Backlash – Destin Offshore Charters.

Lt. Faith Watson: Fluid Surf Shop – the owners are super friendly and knowledgeable. Then I go across the street to Parlor Donuts for a coconut cream donut. Another one would be the C.A.R.E. Center team at the Gulfarium. We see them in action rescuing turtles and birds, and we work together to rescue sick or injured wildlife on the beach.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: Being a lifeguard is not a summer job. It’s a lifelong commitment. You’ll never see the beach as you did before.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: Go to work, do your best, and remember you’re just a number.

Lt. Faith Watson: The best career advice I received came from my time in JROTC – the core value of selfless service. I apply it to my everyday life and on the job. To me, it means putting others first, leading by example, and helping the people around you.

If you could give your 20-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: Always take every opportunity. You never know where it might lead you.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: Everything happens for a reason, and there is a lesson in everything. If it ain’t gonna matter in five years, don’t stress. It doesn’t matter what people think – it’s how you want to see yourself.

Lt. Faith Watson: Life gets better when you care less about the wrong things and more about the right ones. Focus on the future, not the past.

How do you unwind after a long day?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: I like to go for long walks.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: I take a cold shower and relax.

Lt. Faith Watson: I watch the sunset, go for a run on the beach, and end the day with a good movie.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: I enjoy photography in my spare time.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: I was in the military for 10 years.

Lt. Faith Watson: I love being outside in nature. I enjoy all different types of weather, especially rainy days, but fall is my favorite season.

What’s your favorite local event or tradition?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: I love the Fall Volleyball Tournament hosted on the island.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: Christmas with family.

Lt. Faith Watson: My favorite tradition right here on the island is the Boardwalk Trunk or Treat. The lifeguards participate every year, and it’s a lot of fun seeing all the different costumes and handing out candy.

What’s inspiring you right now (book, podcast, person, hobby)?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: Myself. Being able to keep working in toxic situations.

Lt. Faith Watson: Gardening and yoga have been inspiring me. They’re peaceful and a great time to reflect and grow.

Early bird or night owl?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: I can be both.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: Early bird.

Lt. Faith Watson: Night owl.

Most used emoji?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: I’m old school. 🙂

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: The melting face.

Lt. Faith Watson: The heart emoji.

Music while working – yes or no? And if yes, what’s on your playlist?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: Yes! I believe it makes the time go faster.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: No music.

Lt. Faith Watson: At the end of the day, yes. I mostly listen to ’70s rock, indie rock, and country.

Favorite motivational quote?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: “It can only rain for so many days before the sun has to come out.”

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: “When you go through deep water, I will be with you.” – Isaiah 43:2

Lt. Faith Watson: “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” – Rocky Balboa

Standing desk or sitting? Mix?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: With the beach being my main office, rarely am I ever sitting at my desk.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: Both.

Lt. Faith Watson: Most of the time I’m not at my desk, but when I am, I’m sitting.

If you could give any advice for someone getting into the same field as you, what advice would you give?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: You never know what each day holds. Always be ready to show up for anything.

Lt. Stacy Karczewski: Be ready for the Wild Wild West. Do your best and ask questions. Don’t ask anything of anyone you’re not willing to do yourself.

Lt. Faith Watson: Keep up with physical training like swimming and running. The ocean is your friend.

Are you a member of the FWB Chamber of Commerce?

Lt. Kalee Pirtle: I am a proud staff member of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, which is a member of the FWB Chamber of Commerce.

Anything we missed that you want to add?

Lt. Faith Watson: My favorite part of the job is making people on the beach feel safer because of our presence, being a big part of someone’s vacation or beach day, and watching all the marine life on the pier.