Seminole County Fire Department Earns PEDReady Gold-Tier for Pediatric Emergency Care

The Seminole County Fire Department announced March 2, 2026 that it has been honored with the Florida Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Recognition Program’s PEDReady Gold-Tier designation, a statewide award for EMS and fire-rescue agencies that demonstrate exceptional system-wide commitment to pediatric emergency care. The department highlighted that approximately 7 percent of all SCFD emergency medical services calls involve pediatric patients, underscoring the local relevance of pediatric readiness.

Chairman Andria Herr of the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners framed the recognition as both rare and locally significant. “We’re incredibly proud to be one of only 10 fire agencies in Florida, and among just a few in Central Florida, to achieve this Gold-tier status,” Herr said. “It’s a strong reflection of the Fire Department’s dedication to excellence and to protecting our children, while helping families feel confident and secure.”

The PEDReady Gold-Tier designation recognizes concrete investments and protocols. Seminole’s announcement notes the Gold Tier represents the highest level of pediatric preparedness and highlights dedicated leadership, specialized equipment, and comprehensive training as hallmarks of the award. Program evaluations examine multiple operational domains, with PRRP-style assessments described as looking at eight major areas related to pediatric responses, including facets of care, equipment, training, procedures, and certifications.

Seminole’s recognition joins similar honors around the state. The Sarasota County Fire Department was also named a PEDReady Gold-Tier recipient; SRQ Magazine described Sarasota’s award by noting it was the first metro-sized department in the state to receive the designation and the fourth EMS department overall. Those statewide comparisons point to a growing emphasis across Florida on pediatric-specific protocols, disaster preparedness, and community outreach.

The department’s announcement appeared as contributed content from the Seminole County Fire Department to local outlets, and the county is presenting the designation as a milestone in its ongoing public safety work. The Gold-Tier status, as framed in the announcement, signals that Seminole County Fire Department meets rigorous standards for pediatric equipment and staff training and positions the county to expand education and family-centered care efforts tied to emergency response.

For Seminole County parents and caregivers, the department says the recognition affirms its capacity to respond to children in medical distress and to work with hospitals and community partners on pediatric readiness. County leaders point to the designation as both a validation of current practices and a platform for continued investment in pediatric emergency care across Seminole’s fire stations and EMS units.