Seminole County Honored for River Restoration Effort

Stay Safe, Stay Prepared: Flood Awareness Week

Code Enforcement Connects with Students

Seminole County Code Enforcement took community outreach into the classroom, meeting with students to share what they do and how their work impacts local neighborhoods.

Officers were invited to speak with the student government class at Tuskawilla Middle School in Oviedo on Tuesday, February 17, about their careers.

“It’s important to talk to students because it’s a career path many of them may not know about,” said Code Enforcement Division Manager, Jon Martin. “We also like to share what we do in the community to help keep neighborhoods safe.”

To schedule Code Enforcement to speak at a neighborhood or community meeting, email CE_Clerk@SeminoleCountyFL.gov.

Scout App Updates Help Keep Rides Moving

Since launching full service on October 15, Seminole County’s public transportation service, Scout, continues to gain momentum, topping 900 riders in a single day on multiple occasions last month.

To help keep operations running efficiently, the Scout app has received recent updates. Riders are now limited to two cancellations per day. After that, any additional requests must be made by phone at 407-665-RIDE (7433). This change helps ensure vehicles remain available for riders and reduces delays caused by repeated cancellations.

Scout is also reinforcing reasonable wait times at pickup locations. The Scout app provides real-time updates as your vehicle approaches, and riders are encouraged to monitor the app and be ready when their Scout arrives. Vehicles will wait a limited amount of time before continuing to the next scheduled stop.

These updates follow other new features, such as a Wait Time Planner for trip planning and a new map to identify service zones.

Seminole County Fire Department Celebrates Grand Opening of Station 39

Seminole County has officially opened Fire Station 39, expanding fire rescue coverage in the growing northwest area of the County. Located in Sanford, the new station is the Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD)’s 21st station and is expected to significantly improve emergency response times—by more than two minutes in some areas—while easing call volumes at nearby County and city fire stations.

The grand opening on Wednesday, February 4, featured a traditional hose uncoupling ceremony marking the station’s commissioning. Station 39 will also make history in 2026 as the first SCFD station, and one of the first in Florida, to deploy a Crash Attenuator Truck designed to improve firefighter safety during roadside and highway incidents.

County leaders and fire officials highlighted the station as a critical investment in public safety, serving nearly 11,000 residents in that response area and supporting emergency operations across Seminole County.

Learn, Prepare, Stay Safe During Severe Weather Awareness Week

Severe Weather Awareness Week begins February 2, offering residents an opportunity to learn more about disaster preparedness and how to stay safe during emergencies.

Residents are encouraged to participate 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 are also encouraged to review how they receive tornado warnings and update their tornado action plans.

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

Please note: The 2026 Touch-a-Truck Disaster Equipment Showcase, originally scheduled for Saturday, January 31, has been canceled due to forecasted cold temperatures and gusty winds. The Seminole County Office of Emergency Management is working to reschedule the event later this year.

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.

Emergency Management Prepares for the Cold

When forecasts call for temperatures to drop below 40 degrees for four consecutive hours or more, the Seminole County Office of Emergency Management activates its Extreme Temperature Plan to help keep residents safe. Officials urge everyone to prepare by remembering the “5 P’s”: protect plants from the cold, cover pipes and allow faucets to drip, bring pets indoors or provide warm shelter, take care of people by dressing in layers and staying dry, and practice fire safety by using heaters properly and never operating fuel-burning devices indoors.

All Seminole County library branches are open during the day as warming centers. Emergency Management also works with Rescue Outreach Mission to increase bedding availability during cold weather. For more information, residents can call the Seminole County Information Line at 407-665-0000 or Emergency Management at 407-665-5102.

National Soccer Event Spotlights County Facilities

The annual Elite Club National League (ECNL) Florida soccer showcases are generating significant benefits for Seminole County Tourism by attracting national-level competition to county-owned facilities.

Matches were played from Friday, January 2 through Sunday, January 4, at Sylvan Lake Park and the Boombah Sports Complex, as well as the privately owned Seminole Soccer Complex. The three-day showcase featured approximately 170 teams from more than 25 states competing in 255 games. Total estimated attendance exceeded 5,000 people, including players, spectators, and college coaches, with games running from early morning until dusk.

Planning to Ride? Get Set Up with Scout and Save

Before trying Scout, riders are encouraged to check whether they qualify for discounts, including income-based eligibility. Anyone can complete a certification form on the Scout website to see if they are eligible for 50% off fares with prices capped depending on income level.

Additional savings are also available. Seniors and students receive 50% off fares, LYNX Access Plus riders and individuals with disabilities pay $1 per trip, and all riders who book through the Ride Freebee app receive an additional 50-cent discount. 

For residents without access to a smartphone to download the app, rides may be scheduled by calling 407-665-RIDE (7433).