Volusia County Fire Rescue, Halifax Health bring holiday spirit

It was a few days early, and no reindeer were involved, but on Dec. 22, Volusia County Fire Rescue and Halifax Health teamed up to bring Christmas cheer to some of the hospital’s youngest patients.

Tuesday morning, members of Fire Rescue’s technical rescue team donned holiday apparel and rappelled from the roof of Halifax Health’s Fountain Tower at 303 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach. During the exercise, the patients, visitors and staff on the Speediatric floor received an insider’s view as the team descended the building. The Speediatric floor of Halifax Health is the NASCAR themed pediatric unit that cares for more than 2,000 children each year.

“As part of our continuous training, fire rescue participates in rappel events throughout the year,” said Deputy Fire Chief Robert Coyne. “When the opportunity arose to partner with Halifax Health to train in a new environment and bring a little holiday spirit to their patients and staff, we were thrilled to participate.”

“We will always partner with Volusia County EMS,” said Halifax Health President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Feasel. “This was a good training exercise, and some of our youngest patients got a thrill out of watching these professionals rappel down the Fountain Tower.”

Not only was the exercise a beneficial training opportunity, but it also provided extra joy during a trying year.

“It’s hard to be in the hospital during the holidays, but for little ones it’s especially tough,” said Amy Christie, pediatric nurse manager. “They worry that Santa may miss them. Events like this give patients and their families a moment to take their minds off what’s going on. We’re so grateful that Volusia County Fire and Rescue thought of Halifax Health for their rappel.”