Public Safety

Okaloosa County paramedic Andrew Kindle named national Community Paramedic of the Year

Okaloosa County EMS Community Paramedic Andrew Kindle has been named the 2026 Community Paramedic of the Year by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Jared Williams

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Okaloosa County EMS Community Paramedic Andrew Kindle has been named the 2026 Community Paramedic of the Year by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.

The award, part of the National EMS Awards for Excellence by NAEMT and EMS World, recognizes Kindle for his contributions to the EMS profession and the patients he has served in Okaloosa County. It will be presented during NAEMT’s General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and at the opening ceremony of EMS World Expo in Orlando.

“We are very proud of Paramedic Andrew Kindle,” Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin said. “Our Community Paramedicine program has led the state of Florida in excellence to reduce fatal overdoses, patient care and unnecessary ER visits. Andrew is a shining example of how to lead by example, showing passion for his work and empathy for his patients that truly changes lives.”

Kindle has helped build and lead the Community Paramedicine Team for the past 18 months. His work has also earned him the Emerald Coast United Way’s 40 Under 40 Award and Okaloosa County’s Humanitarian Efforts Award. He is known for his commitment to caring for those often overlooked in the community and for sharing that dedication through frequent training presentations for his department.

“I am truly humbled by this recognition and am proud to serve Okaloosa County in the role of a Community Paramedic,” Kindle said. “We are out in the public every day delivering care to patients, passing out Narcan, educating people and making sure that the people who need help know that someone cares.”

Kindle is a father, husband, Marine and firefighter with more than 17 years of experience as a first responder. He began his career in the U.S. Marine Corps, deploying with the Hurricane Katrina Task Force before entering the fire service, where he became a certified HazMat specialist and worked across North Dakota, Tennessee and Antarctica’s McMurdo Station.

He continues to serve Okaloosa County EMS as a Critical Care, Tactical Paramedic and Community Paramedic.

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