EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Dispatcher Lindsey Grabbe answered the incoming 911 call June 2 through her headset from inside the base’s emergency control center with her standard greeting – “Eglin 911, what is the address of your emergency?”
The voice on the other end, Devin Hardy, was frantic and for good reason. Hardy explained her 7-year-old son Greyson disappeared while paddleboarding near Bluewater Bay’s Rocky Creek.
Grabbe pushed the alert throughout the ECC and Eglin’s emergency response apparatus began to spin up. Eglin fire and medics moved vehicles and personnel out to the location 11 miles away. The 96th Security Forces Squadron’s marine patrol was the first of nine boats from four local agencies in the water involved in the search.
Senior Airman Nicolas Grigsby, 96th SFS, spoke with the family as the first person on scene. Grisby said he remembered hearing people yelling out for the boy from all around him as he spoke with the family. He and fellow defenders along with first responders joined in that search near the family.
With Eglin’s emergency teams in route, Master Sgt. David Jeghers, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, and his team coordinated with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, park rangers and others to establish an area joint search operation.
“This was one of those calls that reminds you exactly why we do this job,” said Todd Lawrence, ECC supervisor. “Everyone played their part, from the dispatchers, first responders to the marine and security forces patrols.”
With a command center established at the Frank Gannon State Park, Eglin and local emergency teams expanded land and water searches across the area. A second 96th SFS marine unit deployed to the area to potentially launch an unmanned aerial system to help search from above. They were joined by life flight and OCSO helicopters patrolling the air.
“At this point, the area’s joint interoperability was on full display,” said Master Sgt. Edward Wilder, 96th SFS marine unit, who was on scene for the search. “The ability to mobilize agencies and integrate them in areas almost incapable of being searched, showed the true determination to resolve the situation as best as possible.”
Grabbe remained on the 911 call with Devin for more than an hour providing constant reassurance, while gathering more information to help with the response.
"When I heard Greyson had been gone for so long, my heart just sank,” said Grabbe. “I'm a mom myself, and I could only imagine what she was going through. I just kept trying to reassure her and focus on getting as much information as possible to the team.”
After approximately two hours of searching, Greyson was found safe and uninjured more than a mile and half away from where he disappeared.
“This was a very successful response to what could have been a tragic outcome and showcased an amazing joint effort to a unique and challenging response,” said Jeghers.
A few days after the rescue, 96th SFS and 96th CES leadership praised their team’s efforts showcasing the professionalism and interoperability between Eglin’s agencies and off-base responders.
Eglin fosters long-standing working relationships with community agencies due to its land expanse, which covers three counties. To ensure smooth communications and use of best capabilities, Eglin and local units regularly train together in large- and small-scale exercises.
“This successful rescue highlights the critical importance of emergency preparedness, rapid response, and strong interagency collaboration across Northwest Florida,” said Lawrence.