Seminole County firefighter Chris Martin credited with national drowning-prevention work; speakers urge CPR training

Seminole County firefighter-paramedic Chris Martin was honored in a community presentation for leading local drowning-prevention efforts and helping secure national grant funding, a presenter said.

The presenter said Martin, who lost his 2-year-old son Gunnar on April 6, 2016, channeled that loss into public service and co-founded the Gunnar Martin Foundation with his wife, Christina, to provide swim-lesson scholarships, pool-safety resources and life-saving education to families.

At the event, the presenter said Martin has expanded the Seminole County Fire Department’s drowning-prevention work, helping the department win a national drowning-prevention grant, distributing life-safety materials to all fire stations and placing door alarms with hundreds of families. “Responding to pediatric drownings is, by far, one of the worst calls we can run on,” the presenter said, and added that the work honors Gunnar’s legacy.

The presenter reported that “so far, we have had 5 pediatric drowning events since 2026,” characterizing the number as a reason for continued prevention efforts and public outreach. A witness who spoke about a personal loss said, “If nobody's kid ever drowns in Florida, especially in Seminole County, that would be perfect,” and later urged parents directly: “As a parent, you should know CPR.”

Organizers noted a partnership with the American Red Cross in delivering training and honoring Martin’s work. The presentation emphasized both individual actions—such as basic CPR training for caregivers—and programmatic steps, including scholarships for swim lessons and distribution of safety devices through fire stations.

The remarks focused on community education and prevention; no formal policy or funding vote was announced at the event. Attendees were urged to pursue CPR training and local swim-safety programs to help reduce pediatric drowning risk.