Annual training brings emergency responders together to help keep residents and the millions of guests who enjoy Florida's Space Coast safe
Brevard County Ocean Rescue recruits train in the Atlantic Ocean during a large-scale, multi-agency exercise with Health First’s First Flight team and local first responders. The annual training strengthens coordination and emergency response before real emergencies occur. (Health First Image)
BREVARD COUNTY • ROCKLEDGE, FLORIDA — Home to Florida’s Space Coast, Brevard County welcomes millions of visitors each year to its beaches, waterways and outdoor attractions.
While most enjoy a safe day on the water, local emergency responders train year-round to ensure they’re prepared when emergencies occur. To help protect both residents and visitors, Health First’s First Flight team regularly partners with area first responders for coordinated rescue training exercises.
Crew members from First Flight recently joined Brevard County Ocean Rescue, Cocoa Beach Fire Department, Cocoa Beach Police Department and Brevard County Fire Rescue for a large-scale ocean rescue training exercise designed to strengthen coordination and improve patient outcomes during complex beach emergencies.
The annual exercise, held at the conclusion of Brevard County Ocean Rescue’s recruit training program, simulated a challenging ocean rescue involving multiple victims and required participating agencies to work together from the initial rescue through advanced medical transport.
“Water is a way of life in Brevard County and keeping our community safe in and around the water requires strong partnerships,” said Rob Spivey, Nurse Program Manager for Health First’s First Flight.
“Health First and First Flight are proud to work alongside Brevard County Ocean Rescue and Cocoa Beach Fire Rescue to promote water safety, support prevention efforts, and provide seamless emergency care when needed. Together, we are helping create a safer environment for families, visitors, and everyone who enjoys our beaches and waterways, while ensuring access to lifesaving expertise throughout our community.”
Emergency responders work together to assess and treat a simulated patient during a multi-agency ocean rescue training exercise in Cocoa Beach. The annual exercise helps improve communication, coordination and patient care during water emergencies. (Health First Image)
The training scenario was designed to replicate the complexity of real-world emergencies that can occur along Brevard’s coastline.
Participants responded to multiple simulated patients, including a victim requiring immediate rescue and medical intervention, a patient with a suspected spinal injury requiring advanced stabilization and transport preparation, and a submerged victim requiring a Code X search operation.
The exercise also included incident command coordination, communications among multiple agencies, crowd management and search operations.
Approximately 80 emergency personnel participated in the event, including 50 Brevard County Ocean Rescue lifeguards, 20 firefighters and rescue personnel from Cocoa Beach Fire Department and Brevard County Fire Rescue, and 10 Cocoa Beach Police Department officers.
While severe ocean-related emergencies requiring air medical transport are relatively uncommon, local officials say preparation is essential because when these incidents do occur, every second matters.
“This training represents an important partnership between the Cocoa Beach Fire Department, Cocoa Beach Police Department, Brevard County Ocean Rescue, Brevard County Fire Rescue and Health First’s First Flight program,” said Cocoa Beach Fire Chief Justin Grimes. “Anytime multiple agencies can train together, patient care benefits.”
Brevard County’s beaches attract approximately 2.5 million visitors annually.
While most beachgoers enjoy a safe experience, responders continue to encounter emergencies involving rip currents, swimmer distress, traumatic injuries, and other medical incidents.
While ocean rescues often draw the most public attention, water-related emergencies occur in a variety of settings, including beaches, pools, rivers, and other waterways.
Between June 1, 2025, and June 1, 2026, Health First treated nine drowning victims and 17 near-drowning patients, underscoring the importance of water safety awareness and rapid emergency response throughout the community.
According to local officials, many ocean distress calls involve visitors who may be unfamiliar with local water conditions, beach warning flags, rip currents and changing surf conditions. So far this year, Cocoa Beach has recorded three drowning fatalities, while Brevard County has experienced four countywide, highlighting the ongoing need for prevention, public education and coordinated emergency response efforts.
“This joint training exercise between Cocoa Beach Public Safety, Brevard County Fire and Ocean Rescue, and First Flight marks an important milestone in strengthening regional emergency response capabilities,” said Eisen Witcher, Chief of Ocean Rescue for Brevard County Fire Rescue. “By practicing together, we can provide a more seamless transition of care and ultimately improve outcomes for residents and visitors who may require advanced medical transport.”
The exercise reinforced an important truth: the strongest emergency response begins long before an emergency ever happens.
Through ongoing training and trusted partnerships, Health First and the First Flight team is committed to helping ensure that residents and the millions of guests who visit Brevard County each year have access to rapid, expert care whenever it’s needed.
