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Rotary clubs offer to place funded rescue tubes on county beaches; commissioners express support
Summary
Members of the Destin and Fort Walton Beach Rotary clubs proposed installing and maintaining rescue tubes at Okaloosa County beaches, offering to pay purchase and upkeep costs; commissioners welcomed the partnership and asked for follow‑up coordination with beach services.
Representatives of the Destin Rotary Club and Fort Walton Beach Rotary Club presented a proposal Sept. 2 to install rescue tubes on Okaloosa County beaches and offered to fund purchase and periodic maintenance of the devices.
Dionne Moniz of the Destin Rotary Club explained the program: clubs partner with the Rescue Tube Foundation to install a 10‑foot post with a rescue tube and information sleeve; the tube system can support multiple people and provides an easily reachable flotation aid. Moniz said the Rotary clubs would solicit local business sponsors to cover installation costs and pay for periodic replacement and maintenance. "Each tube costs around $245, $250 to install it," Moniz said, adding that Rotary volunteers would check and maintain the equipment and provide replacement tubes as needed.
Commissioners expressed support for the low‑cost, volunteer‑backed program. Chairman Coffey asked for a photo opportunity and suggested coordinating placement with beach services; Commissioner Kechel said the county would be glad to partner. Staff indicated Rotary has experience installing similar systems in other Panhandle communities and that plans include spare tubes for theft or hurricane loss and a maintenance schedule.
Why it matters: Rescue tubes are a low‑cost safety intervention for unguarded beach hours and can be used by non‑lifeguards in emergency situations; sponsors and Rotary volunteers would underwrite initial costs and ongoing maintenance, reducing county expense.
No formal county expenditure or ordinance was adopted at the meeting; commissioners welcomed the offer and asked staff to coordinate placements and the maintenance plan with the Rotary clubs.
