SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Seminole County Fire Department unveiled its first airboat to the public Monday after choosing a name for it submitted by local elementary school students.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
SCFD’s new “Airboat 42,” housed at Station 42 in Geneva, has officially gone into service.
READ: Leesburg man wins $1 million with scratch-off lottery ticket
The 5-seat boat will serve all of Seminole County, but will be particularly useful in search and rescue operations in Geneva where the community has experienced recent flooding at Lake Harney, according to the fire department.
Airboats allow rescue crews to maneuver through areas normal boats can’t reach.
READ: Thousands of Central Florida residents will pay more for flood insurance starting Friday
The fire department partnered with Geneva Elementary School students to come up with a name for the new airboat.
They unveiled the new tool by its new name, the “Geneva Fire Falcon,” during a special ceremony at Geneva Elementary School Monday.
READ: Pilot program to let some first-time misdemeanor offenders in Orange, Osceola avoid arrest
Each Geneva Elementary School class was allowed to submit a name. The winning selection came from the 5th grade class with the 1st grade suggestion being chosen as a runner-up.
The two winning classes were treated to an ice cream party and treats from Mission BBQ during the unveiling ceremony at the school.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.