Administrative Staff

Fire Chief Ryan H. Crawford started his fire service career in 1996 after completion of an active-duty military obligation in the U.S. Navy. Crawford joined the South Walton Fire District in 2001 as a Firefighter/Paramedic. He was promoted to Division Chief of Emergency Medical Services in 2006; Assistant Chief of Operations in 2011; and Fire Chief / Administrator in 2019. Chief Crawford is a licensed paramedic, a state-certified fire instructor, and holds associate degrees in both Liberal Arts and Emergency Medical Services and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Florida State University.  Crawford holds an undergraduate certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Florida State University’s Askew School of Public Administration and Policy and is a graduate of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association’s prestigious Emergency Services Leadership Institute (ESLI). Chief Crawford currently serves as the President for the Florida Fire Chief’s Association, the Florida State Director on the Southeastern Association of Fire Chief’s Board of Directors, Alternate Coordinator for the State of Florida’s Statewide Emergency Response Plan for Region 1 and is an active member of the Florida Association of Special Districts.

As a Florida native, Jason Fair began his professional career in Public Safety in 1992. His career spans an array of specialties including Fire, EMS, Urban Search and Rescue, Swift-water and Urban Flood, Hazardous Materials, and Emergency Management. Jason currently serves as an Assistant Chief with South Walton Fire District.
Jason is a member of FL-TF 6, Southwest Florida Urban Search and Rescue. He serves on various committees as part of Domestic Preparedness and as FFCA appointed representative to the Domestic Security Oversight Council. Additionally, Jason functions as State Emergency Response Team Liaison to the State Emergency Operations Center and as part of the Division of State Fire Marshal’s ESF 4/9 Incident Support Team (IST).
He has been a Special Operations Instructor and Foreign Affairs Expert in Emergency and Disaster Management and Response since 2003, consulting/instructing civilian and military throughout the US, Caribbean, and Asia.

Assistant Chief Chris Kidder began his fire service career in 2002 and joined South Walton Fire District (SWFD) in 2005 as a Firefighter/EMT. He progressed through the ranks, being promoted to Sergeant/Paramedic in 2012, Lieutenant/Paramedic in 2015, and District Chief in 2019. He currently serves as Assistant Chief of Operations and is responsible for all activities related to Fire Suppression, EMS response, Training, and Beach Safety.
Assistant Chief Chris Kidder is an active member of the SWFD Technical Rescue Team and has been involved with the department’s training cadre since 2013. He is the Burn Master for both SWFD and Northwest Florida State College, as well as an adjunct fire instructor.
Chief Kidder holds an Associate in Science degree in Emergency Medical Services and a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Administration. He is a graduate of the Florida Fire Chief’s Association Emergency Services Leadership Institute (ESLI). His professional certifications include Pump Operator, Fire Officer I, II, III, and IV, Instructor I, and Live Fire Instructor II.
Beyond the fire service in Northwest Florida, Kidder serves as a technical panel member with the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), contributing to research focused on Fire Dynamics and Firefighting Tactics in Multi-Story Residential Structures. He is passionate about developing the next generation of company and chief officers, achieving this goal through serving as both a presenter and contributing author for related conferences and publications.

Assistant Chief Daniel LaTour entered the fire service in 1998 as a volunteer firefighter in Walton County and began his career at SWFD in 2002.  Prior to his promotion to Assistant Chief of Support Services in March of 2021, Chief LaTour rose through the ranks of Firefighter/Paramedic, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and District Chief.  As District Chief he oversaw SWFD’s Light Technical Rescue Team.  Chief LaTour currently holds an A.S. Degree in Emergency Medical Services, Florida Fire Officer II certification, is a graduate of the Florida Fire Chief’s Association Emergency Services Leadership Institute and is a FLUSAR Rescue Specialist.  Assistant Chief LaTour oversees the Support Services, which includes: Fleet Maintenance, Facilities, Communications, and Information Technology.

Sammy Sanchez, Fire Marshal joined SWFD in 1998. Fire Marshal Sanchez is responsible for all phases of inspections, fire investigations, site and plan reviews, and fire/life safety education. 

Dr. Pablo joined SWFD as our Medical Director in 2001, when the Fire District began EMS service. A graduate of University of Miami School of Medicine, Dr. Pablo is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and the American College of Emergency Physicians. He is also a member of the National Association of EMS Medical Directors.

Beach Safety Director David Vaughan has worked Surf Rescue on the Gulf Coast beaches since 2004. Vaughan joined SWFD in 2011, was tasked as a lead guard in 2013, awarded Lifeguard of the Year for 2014, and promoted from within to Beach Safety Director in 2015. Vaughan coordinates the management of the Beach Safety Program's Public Education and Emergency Medical Service operations. Vaughan holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law.

Carole Martin joined the South Walton Fire District in February 2012 bringing over 30 years of accounting experience in a wide variety of industries.  Carole has a master’s degree in Business Administration, a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and obtained a CPA certificate in Massachusetts.  Her responsibilities include all aspects of the District’s accounting, finance, budgets and insurance.  Carole was the recipient of the 2015 Fire Chief’s Award and a 2016 Extra Mile Award.
 

 
 

Lois LaBarreare joined the South Walton Fire District in September 2019 as the Human Resources Manager.  With over 20 years of HR experience, Lois holds a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources as well as SHRM-SCP and SPHR certifications. While handling the day-to day processing of the Human Resources Office, Lois is responsible for developing and implementing HR initiatives, policies and procedures which are aligned with overall Fire District strategies.

Robbie Lund joined the South Walton Fire District  team in May 2008. With over 30 years administrative support experience, Robbie provides direct support to the Executive Staff. In addition, Robbie serves as the Records Management Liaison Officer for South Walton Fire District.
 
 

Public Information Officer Mackenzie McClintock joined SWFD in March 2021 as the District's first, full-time Public Information Officer. She previously worked as a morning reporter in Panama City, covering community events and news happening across the Florida Panhandle. Prior to her time as a Floridian, Mackenzie attended The University of Alabama and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communication & Information Sciences. She has worked in many forms of publishing and media, including newspapers, editorial/magazines, and television. Mackenzie brings experience working alongside firefighters and law enforcement as a breaking news reporter and source of public information, recently covering the Mussett Bayou Wildfire and Hurricane Sally, among other statewide news events.