Firefighters Spread Holiday Cheer Among Pediatric Patients at Ventura County Medical Center

Children at the Ventura County Medical Center were in for a festive surprise when Santa Claus arrived at the hospital to surprise them. 

Firefighters from Oxnard Fire, Ventura City Fire, and Ventura County Fire dressed up as Santa Claus and his helpers rappelled down the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) to visit the pediatric unit, the Ventura County Fire wrote in a social media post on December 16, 2025. 

Instead of entering through the front doors, Santa and his helpers descended from above. 

Santa brought “smiles, cheer, and special gifts to some of the smallest — and most courageous — patients in the hospital.” 

Today, Santa Claus and his trusty helpers made a vertical entrance at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC), rappelling down the side of the hospital to visit the pediatric unit. Joined by Ventura County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams, Santa brought smiles, cheer, and… pic.twitter.com/bJU2Y2Xy2J

— Ventura County Fire (@VCFD) December 15, 2025

The firefighters were accompanied by Ventura County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams, the post added. 

Once inside, the teams “delivered presents and holiday joy to the children and families spending the season in the hospital.”

Together, the teams worked to ensure rappelling was conducted safely, protect personnel, and create a memorable experience for the children and their families. 

“For a few moments the challenges of the day were replaced with laughter, wonder, and a little holiday magic,” Ventura County Fire wrote. 

The fire department shared images of fire personnel dressed as Santa Claus and his elves rappelling down the hospital, distributing gifts, and spending time with infants and their parents. 

For the families, it meant some time off from the stress and uncertainty that can come with a hospital stay. 

The effort reflects the fire departments’ efforts to serve the community beyond emergency response. 

Sharing their pride in supporting the “community beyond emergency response — especially when it means lifting spirits and reminding families they are not alone this holiday season.”

The Ventura County Health Care Agency shared an Instagram video of fire personnel making a vertical entry into the hospital. The video shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the moment that brought festive cheer to the hospital and its patients.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by VC Health Care Agency (@vchca)

The Ventura County Fire made a similar effort on November 1, 2025, when they dressed up as superheroes to surprise patients and their families. The fire personnel dressed as Superman and Batman, rappelled down from the hospital, and spent time with the children and their parents.

Children were dressed up in fancy costumes and interacted with the fire personnel. 

The video also included glimpses of the hospital staff and fire personnel posing for images. 

The medical center thanked the fire department for its efforts.