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The 823d RED HORSE Squadron will be conducting explosive demolition training between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sept. 12, at the Hurlburt Field Range.
- During the training, nearby residents may hear loud noise or feel the vibrations associated with the demolition charge detonations that are planned to occur periodically throughout the day.
Base officials advise if the humidity is high or if there is cloud coverage, the effects can seem louder and closer than on clear days.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Okaloosa Deputy reflects on reporting to Ground Zero as a former-NYPD Officer on 9/11
The Okaloosa County School District is bridging the generational gap between current students and the events of September 11, 2001, through a video series that brings personal stories from community members directly to the public.
- Deputy John Wohlfarth, currently serving as a School Resource Officer with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at Edwins Elementary, recently shared his powerful firsthand account of that fateful day when he was a New York Police Department officer.
“From 2000 to 2005, I was a New York City police officer, at which time I worked the event of 9/11,” Wohlfarth said. “On the morning of 9/11 ,it was supposed to be my regular day off.”
Wohlfarth’s day began with an urgent call from his cousin, also a police officer, urging him to turn on the news. They watched as the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center, realizing the gravity of the situation.
“He said ‘go ahead and pack a bag, because we’re going in, and I don’t know when we’re coming home‘,” Wohlfarth recalled.
Despite living almost 50 miles from his command, Wohlfarth made the challenging two-hour commute into work after all NYPD officers were recalled. The chaos and traffic of the day complicated travel throughout the city.
- “My command was probably about 15 miles from actual ground zero,” he said. “I could see the smoldering smoke in the air, but I couldn’t actually see the buildings or the actual ground zero itself.”
In the immediate aftermath, Wohlfarth’s duties focused on maintaining a visible presence and assisting those in need. “It was just getting out onto foot patrol posts and being highly visible and just helping anybody that we could help,” he explained.
Wohlfarth emphasized the remarkable unity that emerged following the attacks.
“It was just the cohesiveness and the togetherness of the community. Everybody came together. It was amazing,” he said. “People from all different facets of life that you wouldn’t expect to be hugging one another or associating with each other just all came together.”
The school district’s initiative aims to educate current students, none of whom were alive on September 11, 2001, about the day’s profound impact on the United States. Through stories like Wohlfarth’s, students gain a personal connection to historical events that shaped the nation.
Wohlfarth concluded with a message for students:
“I would ask that you be aware and conscious that things like that can happen here at home,” he said. “And to remember those innocent lives that perished on that day. And also, I would like you to remember all of those that still fight for our freedom to this day.”
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SCHOOL
Okaloosa STEMM Academy student among top 300 in national science challenge
An Okaloosa County student has been recognized as one of the top young innovators in the country, earning a spot in a prestigious national science competition.
- Emmalynn Otzenberger, a student at Okaloosa STEMM Academy, has been named one of the Top 300 Junior Innovators in the 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.
The competition, produced by the Society for Science, aims to recognize middle school students who excel in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Otzenberger’s project, titled “Cooler House, Less Material,” was selected from nearly 2,000 entries submitted by students across 48 states and U.S. territories. Her achievement puts her in contention for further recognition in the competition.
The Top 300 Junior Innovators now have the opportunity to advance to the next round of the challenge. On September 18, 2024, the competition will announce its Top 30 finalists.
These finalists will compete for several awards, including the $25,000 ASCEND Award and the $10,000 Department of Defense (DoD) STEM Talent Award.
- Other prizes include the Lemelson Foundation Invention Award and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Advancement Award.
According to the Society for Science, the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge aims to inspire young scientists, engineers, and innovators to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The competition drew entries from 36 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa Superintendent outlines school safety measures following Georgia tragedy
In response to recent school violence incidents, Okaloosa County School District Superintendent Marcus Chambers has addressed parents and community leaders, outlining the district’s comprehensive approach to school safety.
- In a detailed message to the community, Chambers expressed sorrow for the families affected by the recent tragedy in Winder, Georgia. The incident, which occurred at Apalachee High School, struck close to home for Okaloosa County, as local athletic teams have previously competed against the Georgia school.
“As Superintendent, I have prayed for the Winder, Georgia Community and the ‘CHEE Family’ just as I pray for the safety of our students and educators each morning,” Chambers stated.
Emphasizing the district’s commitment to student safety, Chambers detailed several key safety measures:
The district’s Office of Safe Schools, comprised of safety experts, collaborates with public safety agencies to enhance security procedures and crisis planning.
A partnership with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office provides a “distinguished School Resource Officer Program,” with officers stationed on every campus. High schools are assigned two officers for increased security.
The district employs advanced technology, including:
- Cutting-edge radio and voice communication systems allowing immediate lockdown alerts from anywhere on campus.
- Advanced camera systems providing real-time video access to any school, linked directly to the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center.
- A mobile panic alert system, required by Florida Statutes, connecting to local 911 infrastructure for emergency calls and mobile activations.
Chambers highlighted the district’s focus on emergency preparedness: “Our District has multiple layers of protection in place for students, with one key component being our hazard-specific standard response protocols.” This includes active assailant training for all staff and regular scenario-based lockdown drills for students.
The Superintendent addressed the sensitive nature of these drills, noting, “These drills are always conducted in an age-appropriate and developmentally suitable manner, starting with the announcement, ‘This is a drill,’ to minimize panic or anxiety.”
Mental health support is also a priority. Chambers mentioned school-based counseling programs and multidisciplinary teams working with students who exhibit concerning behaviors, providing care and support for academic success.
The Superintendent stressed the crucial role of students and families in preventing school violence.
- “Please talk to your children and encourage them to have the courage to SAY SOMETHING if they see or hear something (whether verbally or on social media) that could jeopardize school safety,” Chambers urged. He noted that in many incidents of school violence, students had prior knowledge of threats but did not report them.
Chambers encouraged the use of the FortifyFL App for reporting potential threats and emphasized the importance of reaching out to school staff with concerns.
Concluding his message, Chambers tied the district’s safety focus to its overall success: “Our A+ District, which focuses on the Academics, Arts, and Athletics, is successful because we all support and are focused on the safety and security of our people.”
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fort Walton Beach Fire Department to host 9/11 memorial event
The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department is set to host a memorial event commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, September 11, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Fire Station No. 7.
- Community members are invited to participate in ringing the 9/11 memorial bell during the three-hour event.
This year, attendees will have the unique opportunity to don firefighter gear and climb the department’s five-story training tower before ringing the bell.
The fire department will showcase multiple fire trucks and display fire safety information alongside 9/11 memorabilia. Firefighters will be present throughout the event to engage with visitors.
- “We want to honor and remember the brave men and women who lost their lives 23 years ago,” the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department stated in their announcement.
The memorial ceremony will be held at Fort Walton Beach Fire Department Station 7, located at 1968 Lewis Turner Blvd. Designated parking areas for guests will be clearly marked with signs.
This event offers the community a chance to come together, reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Crestview Police Officer receives ‘Lifesaving Award’ for saving 2-week-old infant
Corporal Kristy Peters of the Crestview Police Department has been awarded the City’s Lifesaving Award for her quick actions that saved a 2-week-old infant’s life on August 22, 2024.
- The incident began around 8:50 p.m. when Crestview Dispatch received a 911 call from a father reporting his infant son was not breathing and foaming at the mouth. The father informed dispatch he was en route to North Okaloosa Medical Center.
Corporal Peters located the father at the intersection of Highway 85 and PJ Adams Parkway. Upon arrival, she observed the infant’s lips were blue, indicating oxygen deprivation.
Peters promptly administered back blows, which successfully dislodged the vomit causing the infant to choke, allowing the baby to resume breathing.
Emergency Medical Services arrived as the infant’s color began returning to normal. The child was then transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center, where he received a clean bill of health.
In response to receiving the award, Corporal Peters said, “I chose to work for the Crestview Police Department for their apparent dedication to constant improvement; starting from the caliber of people they elect to hire. This dedication continues to be benchmarked in their training department, which provided me with additional skills and the confidence needed to perform my duties.”
- Peters also emphasized the broader implications of the incident, stating, “This incident is a refreshing reminder of the positive outcomes seldomly reflected in today’s media. More importantly, I want this to be a reminder to the public of the importance of having these basic lifesaving skills as part of their repertoire.”
The Crestview Police Department praised Corporal Peters for embodying their core values, expressing pride in her outstanding presence on their team.
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