Posted On: March 11, 2026

Volusia County and several regional public safety partners conducted a joint rescue training exercise earlier today near the public boat ramps in Ponce Inlet to strengthen interagency coordination and reinforce water safety awareness ahead of the busy spring break and summer seasons.

The training brought together personnel from Volusia County Beach Safety, Volusia County Emergency Medical Administration, the Volusia Sheriff's Office, the Ponce Inlet Fire Department, and Arnold Palmer Hospital to practice coordinated response during complex rescue scenarios involving multiple agencies. The exercise simulated a water emergency requiring a coordinated response from first responders. Beach Safety personnel initiated the rescue, conducted patient assessment, and provided initial medical care before transferring the simulated patient to the Ponce Inlet Fire Department for continued treatment.

During the final phase of the exercise, responders coordinated with the Volusia Sheriff's Office Air One unit to transfer the patient to the helicopter after it landed in the parking lot adjacent to the Marine Science Center's bird sanctuary. The aircraft later departed following the simulated transfer.

Exercises like this strengthen coordination among public safety agencies and allow responders to practice the communication, patient transfer, and rescue procedures required during complex emergencies. Training together helps ensure personnel from multiple agencies can work seamlessly in real-world situations where seconds matter, and a coordinated response is critical to saving lives, particularly as the busy spring break and summer beach season approach.