January 2026

Vol. 3 Issue 2

County News

SCFD Dispatch Earns Top Accreditation

When seconds matter, they answer the call in moments of crisis, playing a crucial role in protecting the community.

Now, the Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD) Emergency Communications team is being recognized for its service, earning the prestigious Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) accreditation from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. The designation is the highest recognition awarded to emergency communications centers.

SCFD is now one of less than 100 fire departments nationwide to earn this distinction and the only fire department in Florida to hold ACE accreditation alongside ISO 1 Classification, International Fire Accreditation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS).

Staffed by 39 highly trained professionals, SCFD Dispatch handled nearly 127,000 calls last year, averaging 350 calls per day, with 98 percent answered in 10 seconds or less.

Interactive Map Helps Riders Explore Scout Service Zones

Scout riders now have a new, easy way to see which service zone they’re in and explore zone boundaries before booking a trip. An interactive map layer is now available through Seminole County’s online mapping system, the Information Kiosk. Users can enter a specific address or zoom in on a location to see which zone applies. To use the tool, visit the map and select “Scout Service Zones” from the menu on the right.

Scout operates in five neighborhood-based zones in Seminole County. Zones were drawn around major waterbodies to avoid confusion with city boundaries. Fares are zone-based, meaning the price of a trip depends on how many zones your ride crosses. Understanding zone boundaries can help riders better estimate fares and plan trips.

This new resource comes as Seminole County continues to transition following significant LYNX bus route changes that took effect on January 11. Since that date, Scout has provided more than 9,000 rides and served over 10,000 passengers, helping residents connect to jobs, schools, SunRail stations, and key destinations.

Gearing Up for Severe Weather Awareness Week: February 2-6, 2026

Severe Weather Awareness Week is coming up, giving residents the opportunity to learn about disaster preparedness and staying safe during emergencies. The week kicks off with the Seminole County Office of Emergency Management’s annual Touch-a-Truck Disaster Equipment Showcase on Saturday, January 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sanford Riverwalk.

Families and community members are invited to explore trucks, boats, helicopters, and other specialized equipment used by local agencies to respond to severe weather and emergencies.

Later in the week, residents are encouraged to take part in The Great Tornado Drill on Wednesday, February 4, at 10 a.m. Businesses, schools and families can practice taking shelter in a safe interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows and exterior doors. Participants can also review how to receive tornado warnings and update their tornado action plans.

To register for the Tornado Drill, text SCTORNADO to 888-777.

Around the County

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Seminole County Government, 1101 East 1st Street, Sanford, Fl 32771, United States