Executive Summary
- Orange County Fire Rescue reported increased call volumes due to higher residential activity and cooking.
- Bunnell Police increased traffic patrols to ensure safety for holiday travelers.
- Officials emphasized the availability of the 988 lifeline for mental health support during the holidays.
Across Central Florida, first responders maintained standard operational readiness on Thanksgiving Day, balancing holiday traditions with the essential demands of public safety services. Agencies ranging from fire rescue to police departments reported steady activity, with personnel staffing patrols and dispatch centers while the broader community celebrated.
Lt. Jackson Elie of Orange County Fire Rescue stated that crews often experience an increase in emergency call volume during the holiday due to heightened residential activity. “More people are at home, more people are cooking, so we definitely see a call increase,” Elie told WESH 2 News. To accommodate the holiday schedule, firefighters attempted to share meals at the station between emergency responses, with family members occasionally visiting the facilities to observe the occasion with on-duty staff.
In Bunnell, law enforcement officials focused resources on traffic safety and travel security. Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon reported that officers increased patrols to manage the holiday traffic flow. “We are out on patrol or responding to calls—assisting the sheriff’s office or they are assisting us—but it will be a regular day for us,” Brannon said.
Andrew Sullivan, public information officer for St. Cloud Police and Fire, noted that working holidays is an accepted and expected obligation of the profession. “We show up to work every day, and holidays don’t affect us because we have a service to provide, and our city expects that of us,” Sullivan stated.
Officials also highlighted the availability of mental health support for the community during the season. Chief Brannon urged residents experiencing distress or depression to utilize the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. “If you are feeling depressed or have some concerns, always think of 988 as a line you can call to get help,” Brannon added.
Operational Readiness and Safety Strategy
The deployment of first responders during major holidays underscores the critical nature of uninterrupted public safety services. While administrative functions may pause, emergency response agencies must account for specific seasonal risks, such as increased domestic accidents involving cooking and traffic congestion from holiday travel. Furthermore, the explicit emphasis on mental health resources by police leadership reflects an evolving approach to community policing, recognizing that holidays can exacerbate psychological distress for vulnerable populations, requiring a proactive stance from safety officials.
