No Review data found.

abc-logo
Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

phone-number850.797.8710 lm-right-arrow

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
SUBMIT REQUEST

Home Care In Eglin AFB, FL

Home Care Eglin AFB, FL

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Nurses Monument gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Eglin AFB, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Eglin AFB, FL

care-serviceHome Care Services

location Service Areas

Read More
Elderly Care Eglin AFB, FL Request More Information vector

The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Eglin AFB, FL?

lm-check

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

lm-check

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

lm-check

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

lm-check

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

Request More Information
Senior Care Eglin AFB, FL

Types of Elderly Care in Eglin AFB, FL

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
Request More Information
Respite Care Eglin AFB, FL
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
Request More Information
Caregivers Eglin AFB, FL
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Unity Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Request More Information
Home Care Eglin AFB, FL
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Lightening Dining Facility or visit All-Wars Memorial, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

Request More Information
In-Home Care Eglin AFB, FL

Benefits of Home Care in Eglin AFB, FL

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

Request More Information vector

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Eglin AFB, FL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care Eglin AFB, FL

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your FL's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Eglin AFB, FL

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Eglin AFB, FL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care Eglin AFB, FL

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Eglin AFB, FL

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Air Force Enlisted Village
  • Bob Hope Village
  • 1120 Hawthorn House Dr.
  • Bay Port of Fort Walton Beach
  • BeeHive Homes Assisted Living
  • Brookdale Fort Walton Beach
Home Care Eglin AFB, FL

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care Eglin AFB, FL

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

lm-right-arrow
01

A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Eglin AFB, FL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Request More Information vector
Elderly Care Eglin AFB, FL

Latest News in Eglin AFB, FL

Eglin, Tyndall Hit by Storms But Suffer No Significant Damage

Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., suffered only minimal damage from at least one and as many as three tornadoes and heavy rains that tore across the Florida Panhandle on Jan. 9, as Airmen and civilian employees were told to telework as much as possible ahead of and after the storms.Similar stay-at-home messages referencing the “anomalously strong storm” were i...

Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., suffered only minimal damage from at least one and as many as three tornadoes and heavy rains that tore across the Florida Panhandle on Jan. 9, as Airmen and civilian employees were told to telework as much as possible ahead of and after the storms.

Similar stay-at-home messages referencing the “anomalously strong storm” were issued to those who work at nearby Tyndall Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. A Tyndall spokesperson could not be reached for comment, but Hurlburt officials said the storms didn’t cause much damage there.

The tornados inflicted severe damage in nearby Panama City and other coastal communities to the south and east, where many residential and commercial buildings were destroyed and power cut off. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the area.

On Jan. 8, Eglin issued a “mission essential posture” order authorizing maximum telework. Base officials advised personnel that the threat of tornados, thunderstorms, and up to four inches of rain, with localized flooding and winds up to 70 miles per hour, were imminent.

Base officials said some aircraft were placed in hangars for protection, but no aircraft were flown to other bases specifically to shield them from the storm.

Eglin closed its 96th Medical Group, dining services, and the northwest base gate. Except for those considered essential for storm preparation and recovery, Weather Safety Leave was authorized for non-telework eligible personnel.

An Eglin spokesperson said base personnel whose off-base homes were damaged will likely be given time off to deal with the situation.

“We will take care of our Airmen,” the official said. Personnel and base operations will be back to normal operations on Jan. 10, she added.

The storm continued up the East Coast on Jan. 9, threatening flooding and wind damage at other bases in the region. Fort Lauderdale reported a tornado with 80 mph winds.

In 2018, Hurricane Michael hit the Florida panhandle coast, causing massive destruction at Tyndall and significant damage at Eglin. Tyndall suffered numerous aircraft damaged inside their hangars and many base buildings were scraped off their foundations or declared a total loss. In the aftermath of the storm, some missions, like F-22 training, were eventually re-assigned to other bases. Most of the base aircraft able to evacuate to other locations, however, did so. Since then, the Air Force has been more proactive in moving aircraft out of the way of major storm systems.

New electric aircraft arrives at Eglin AFB for testing

AFWERX Airmen and several local media outlets gathered here to witness one of the quietest Air Force aircraft flyovers ever.BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace company and AFWERX Prime division partner, made several low passes in its ALIA electric aircraft as the audience celebrated its delivery to the Air Force Oct. 26, 2023.AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Air Force and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from sma...

AFWERX Airmen and several local media outlets gathered here to witness one of the quietest Air Force aircraft flyovers ever.

BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace company and AFWERX Prime division partner, made several low passes in its ALIA electric aircraft as the audience celebrated its delivery to the Air Force Oct. 26, 2023.

AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Air Force and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the Air Force.

This includes partnering with BETA and other electric aircraft companies to bring zero-emission aviation to the military along with other benefits, including a quiet noise profile and the cost savings to operate and maintain its fleet without dependency on traditional fossil fuels.

“We are really excited about companies like BETA when they invent things like this,” said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialization officer for the Department of the Air Force. “It is going to transform the way we see air travel in the world, but it is also going to transform the way we have air power in the Air Force. We’re going to learn what we can do with vehicles like this and we’re going to take it to our warfighters.”

BETA’s ALIA electric aircraft has a 50-foot wingspan, a range of 250 miles with a top speed of 138 mph and is 90 percent quieter than a helicopter. While ALIA has the capability to transport five passengers, the Air Force test objective is to demonstrate its potential to support agile combat employment logistics with its payload capacity of 1,000 pounds. Located 10 miles north of Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Duke Field was strategically selected as the test field for ALIA. The field is home to the Air Force’s rotary wing test squadron, the 413th Flight Test Squadron.

“All of the testing will be contractor owned and operated but the 413th FLTS wrote the test and safety plan,” said Maj. Riley Livermore, 413th FLTS Futures Flight commander. “We are responsible for coordinating daily flight operations to include range scheduling and logistics support. Then we’ll write a report following the conclusion of the test deployment to report our findings.”

AFWERX first partnered with BETA in December 2019 and has since awarded the company several contracts. Over the years, BETA has provided AFWERX with three simulators, including a mobile simulator that has conducted pilot training and demonstrations and two Level-3 electric chargers. The charger at Duke Field was completed Oct. 16 and is the first charging station on a military installation.

“Part of the testing process was to install an aircraft charger on a military installation to capture lessons learned and hopefully inform and accelerate future projects at different bases,” Livermore said. “The fixed charging station will also help us write procedures and safety requirements for the Air Force. They’re currently not defined because the technology is new.” The first ALIA flight test is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 7, 2023.

Eagles have landed: New F-15EXs arrive at Eglin

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The Eagles have landed.The Air Force’s two newest fighters, F-15EX Eagle IIs, known as EX3 and EX4, touched down at Eglin Dec. 20, 2023 just minutes from each other. The new arrivals bring the Air Force’s total F-15EXs to four, all located at Eglin. The two aircraft belong to the 96th Test Wing (EX3) and 53rd Wing (EX4), who also own the initial two fighters.“The F-15EX has met every challenge we’ve thrown at it to date and the platform is on the cusp of being ready fo...

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The Eagles have landed.

The Air Force’s two newest fighters, F-15EX Eagle IIs, known as EX3 and EX4, touched down at Eglin Dec. 20, 2023 just minutes from each other.

The new arrivals bring the Air Force’s total F-15EXs to four, all located at Eglin. The two aircraft belong to the 96th Test Wing (EX3) and 53rd Wing (EX4), who also own the initial two fighters.

“The F-15EX has met every challenge we’ve thrown at it to date and the platform is on the cusp of being ready for the warfighter,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Wee, Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force commander. “The delivery of the new aircraft paves the way for not only the delivery of combat coded aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, but also the continued development of this incredible addition to the USAF inventory.”

The new Eagles bring features and capabilities to be tested that the original two jets didn’t have. The cockpit pressure monitor and warning system is a new addition to EX3 and EX4, as well as an ultra-high frequency antenna for satellite communications. The new Eagles also feature a forward fuselage redesigned specifically for the U.S. Air Force.

The F-15EX test platforms at Eglin will accelerate development of capabilities both for the platform itself, and other combat aircraft.

“Our integrated test approach, which combines developmental and operational test, brings the future faster to the warfighter,” said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Geraghty, 96th Test Wing commander. “This ensures the U.S. Air Force continues to provide deterrence and readiness for the high-end fight.”

The F-15EX program at Eglin ends this year with two new aircraft, but the combined test wings kept the two available jets in the air for a very busy 2023. In May, those two aircraft flew to Alaska and participated in and supported Northern Edge 2023. In June, the F-15EX executed advanced weapons integration missions to ensure the aircraft and various munitions flew and communicated with each other properly.

After the integration successes, the F-15EXs flew to Hill AFB, Utah, for Combat Hammer, where the aircraft successfully employed advanced air-to-ground weapons for the first time. These and the efforts over the last two years earned the combined test and evaluation team a glowing report from the Operational Test and Evaluation director.

The director’s report stated the F-15EX is operationally effective, suitable, and survivable against threats likely to be encountered while performing its missions in threat environments. This report allows the program to move into a new testing phase.

“I am tremendously proud of the team and their efforts to foster the F-15EX program,” said Wee. “The F-15EX is the most capable Eagle on the planet, and we are just getting started.”

The test wings are scheduled to receive two more F-15EX aircraft in the future.

Eglin Air Force Base Comprehensive Energy Assurance Project Wins FEMP Contracting Award

The energy service company for Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso, Florida was awarded a $57.8 million energy savings performance contract (ESPC) in Fiscal Year 2018. The ESPC was awarded on account of significant achievement in terms of public-private partnerships, energy consumption reductions, cost...

The energy service company for Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso, Florida was awarded a $57.8 million energy savings performance contract (ESPC) in Fiscal Year 2018. The ESPC was awarded on account of significant achievement in terms of public-private partnerships, energy consumption reductions, cost savings, and energy assurance, while supporting multiple United States Air Force (USAF) critical missions.

Unique Contracting Approach Builds in Resilience, Leverages Early Savings to Fund New Measures

As part of the ESPC, Eglin entered into a unique agreement with its natural gas utility, Okaloosa Gas District, which owns privatized gas infrastructure on the site. Eglin's energy service company agreed to purchase and lock prices for the duration of the ESPC, minimizing the risk of gas rate fluctuation and allowing resilience assets to be supported under the terms of the ESPC contract vehicle. Eglin is notified of gas rates 24 hours in advance so they can schedule energy use around price spikes. Securing a long-term fixed natural gas rate was essential to securing the Resiliency MOD to the ESPC and brought the total value of the ESPC project to $134M.

Eglin's ESPC was awarded in phases, with early savings leveraged to fund subsequent project phases. Replacing more than 98,000 lights with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) during the first phase generated savings that fully paid for the combined heat and power system to be implemented in the next phase. The project also employed creative savings streams, such as materials-related cost savings that resulted from standardizing the lighting fixtures. Thanks to this self-funding, phased approach, Eglin Air Force Base did not need to appropriate any funding for the project.

Project Details

Eglin Air Force Base is made up of multiple USAF and international missions commands, as well as two US Army, three US Navy and one US Coast Guard sites, encompassing 240 square miles. The Eglin ESPC includes numerous energy resilience, assurance, and operational efficiency enhancements, including energy conservation and resilience measures, a microgrid, solar arrays, and combined heat and power systems capable of producing 121 billion BTU each year. Improvements to 165 buildings included extensive interior and exterior lighting retrofits as well as electrical infrastructure, building envelope, piping insulation, and energy management and controls upgrades, encompassing 5.2 million square-feet.

Results

In combination, the ESPC projects are estimated to reduce total electrical consumption by approximately 35%, or 50 billion BTU, for an annual savings of nearly $4.4 million.

Lessons Learned

Project managers noted that throughout planning, environmental regulations and animal and plant habitat preservation were important topics and required careful consideration.

Pursuing both cost savings and energy and mission resilience required additional forethought. In seeking to enhance resilience, the Eglin team took measures that other Air Force bases were hesitant to implement. Natural Gas Generators were installed in strategic locations based on mission needs. The design team considered automatic transfer switches, but finally opted for more resilient manual switches that allow users to manually toggle between commercial power and on-site generators.

Forward to Phase Two

Moving forward, elements of Eglin's successful ESPC project may be replicated at other bases with support from Air Force Civil Engineering Center, which is evaluating other Air Force ESPC contracts for resilience.

At Eglin, a second phase of the ESPC project was signed in March 2019 to further enhance energy resilience at Eglin Air Force Base with a focus on gas and solar generation technologies and building improvements such as combined heat and power, distributed generation, continuous commissioning, and additional LED retrofits.

Quick Links

Eglin AFB fish removed from endangered species list

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the removal of the Okaloosa darter from the endangered and threatened species list during a ceremony Aug. 2 at Eglin Air Force Base.The ...

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the removal of the Okaloosa darter from the endangered and threatened species list during a ceremony Aug. 2 at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Okaloosa darter is a two-inch, perch-like fish unique and critical to balancing six clear stream systems within Eglin and draining into two Choctawhatchee Bay bayous in Walton and Okaloosa counties in northwest Florida.

When it was listed as endangered in 1973, there were approximately less than 1,500 individual darters. This year on the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, Eglin AFB’s natural resource managers estimate the darter’s population to be more than 600,000. It was officially deemed recovered by the USFWS on July 28.

"More than 30 years of best management practices and partnerships with the USFWS, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the efforts of many others led to the recovery of the Okaloosa darter," said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Geraghty, 96th Test Wing commander. "We are grateful to everyone who brought this fish back from the brink of extinction to a thriving population on Eglin."

More than 120 people attended the event at Anderson Pond near the darter’s habitat, including Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz and Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, 96th TW leadership and members of the local community.

“The staff at Eglin have proven to be incredible conservation engineers. They designed and implemented the recovery of the Okaloosa darter and are steadily and strategically rebuilding the entire ecology of this landscape with no loss to the flexibility of the military mission.” Estenoz said.

The darter’s conversation and recovery are due to environmental stewardship and enduring partnerships between Eglin AFB’s environmental management program, The Eglin Natural Resources Management Team, also known as Jackson Guard, the USFWS, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and several federal, state and local organizations.

“This recovery program is a shining example of how effective partnerships work,” said Bill Tate, USFWS Okaloosa darter recovery lead. “The USFWS, along with Eglin Natural Resources, coordinated the recovery program and capitalized on the expertise and resources available to ensure the best decisions are made for the species.”

According to Bruce Hagedorn, 96th Civil Engineer Group National Resources chief, the most impactful management practices to protect the darter were erosion control, eliminating fish passage barriers and habitat restoration of the creeks on the installation, where 90% of the darters live.

Hagedorn added that these efforts led to the restoration of 363 sites across 627 acres and kept 101,000 tons of sediment from reaching darter inhabited streams.

“Thank you to the entire team for your grit, your stamina, tireless research, partnering across agencies across the decades and for keeping this journey alive,” Chaudhary said about the incredible effort to accomplish this goal.

To learn more about the species and recovery efforts, visit the Federal Registry.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.