Health First’s four Brevard County hospitals conducted a large-scale disaster drill on April 9 as part of an annual exercise called ‘Operation Skyfall.’ The scenario involved a simulated terrorist attack on a cruise ship docked at Port Canaveral, with patient actors being directed to emergency departments across Central Florida, including Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne. The drill tested the hospitals’ ability to handle a sudden influx of patients and coordinate with emergency services.
The exercise began around 9 a.m. and involved real hospital staff, who treated the patient actors as if they were actual trauma victims. The scenario required teams to manage triage, communication with law enforcement, and resource allocation under pressure. Holmes Regional Medical Center, which serves eastern Brevard County, was one of several sites participating in the drill.
The drill was organized by Health First, which operates four hospitals in the county: Holmes Regional Medical Center, Florida Hospital Titusville, Florida Hospital Rockledge, and Florida Hospital West Palm Beach. Each hospital received a portion of the simulated patients, with roles assigned to mimic real-world emergencies. Port Canaveral is a major cruise ship terminal, making it a logical focus for the scenario.
Health First officials said the drill helps identify gaps in preparedness and reinforces protocols for handling mass casualty incidents. No real injuries were reported, and the exercise concluded by midday. Staff members said the drill felt realistic but manageable, with teams working efficiently to simulate a coordinated response.