Florida first responders use high-stakes training for beach rescues

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. – Dozens of first responders are coming together Friday in Florida for a large-scale training exercise designed to increase efficiency in beach rescues.

Several agencies will meet at Edwin W. Peck Sr. Park in Daytona Beach Shores to work through three scenarios that simulate a near-drowning involving a child in the surf.

The exercise was organized by Ryan McConaughey, who is the critical assistant to Volusia County’s medical director.

“This is important for the community to be able to see and understand that it takes so many of these people working together to provide this care for even one single patient,” McConaughey said. “This gives us the opportunity to go all the way from the beginning to the end of treatment for this patient.”

The responding agencies include Volusia County’s Beach Safety, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Coastal divisions, along with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety, the Ponce Inlet and Port Orange fire departments, Halifax Health Medical Center of Port Orange, and the Orlando Health Air Care Team. Physicians and staff from Arnold Palmer Hospital will monitor each team’s progress.

Each of the three scenarios will begin on the beach, where Beach Safety and paramedics will provide initial care. The “patient” will be transferred to Halifax Health Medical Center of Port Orange, where he will be treated in the emergency department and then flown to Arnold Palmer Hospital.

McConaughey said the scenarios would give the participants crucial insight into how each agency works together in saving a life.

“We can practice the small pieces individually, but being able to put everybody together to practice from the beginning all the way to the final treatment for the patient is key in preparing for the transition of care from one service to the other,” McConaughey said.

Hospitals routinely conduct emergency training exercises to practice and refine their emergency response plans and procedures.

“These exercises help staff understand their roles, test communication protocols, and ensure efficient response during actual emergencies, said Volusia County Medical Director Jessica Gershen, M.D. “We asked Arnold Palmer Hospital to work with us on this simulation because it’s the only level-one trauma center for children in Central Florida.”

The simulations are scheduled to take place into Friday afternoon.