ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Fire Chief Anthony Rios announced his resignation, saying he takes responsibility for comments he made during a recent county budget presentation about the purchase of a county-assigned vehicle.
Rios submitted his resignation Tuesday in a letter to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. His resignation takes effect July 31.
“Throughout my career, I have sought to lead with accountability, transparency, and integrity,” Rios wrote. “Those values have guided every decision I have made, and they continue to guide this one.”
Rios’ resignation follows questions raised during a recent budget workshop before the Orange County Board of County Commissioners.
In his resignation letter, Rios said the vehicle purchase complied with county procurement policies and procedures. However, he acknowledged that his response to commissioners “did not fully communicate the complete context and, as a result, could only be perceived as inaccurate.”
“As Fire Chief, I understand that intent does not diminish impact, and I accept full responsibility for my words,” Rios wrote.
In a July 15 follow-up email to Commissioner Mayra Uribe, Rios said the Office of the Fire Chief was scheduled to receive a replacement county vehicle as part of the department’s light-vehicle replacement plan.
Rios wrote that county regulations require vehicles to meet at least two of three replacement criteria involving age, mileage and maintenance costs. He said vehicles can be reassigned within the department, but one qualifying vehicle is ultimately removed from service unless a new position requires an additional vehicle.
Rios said the replacement vehicles had not yet been placed into service when he sent the email.
The Orange County Fire Fighters Association said Rios’ resignation surprised the union and many members of Orange County Fire Rescue.
“We do not have any additional information regarding the circumstances of his resignation and will not speculate on reports or information that has not been confirmed,” the union said.
The union credited Rios with maintaining open communication and said its focus is now on supporting firefighters and maintaining stability within the department.
The union said Chief John Westmoreland will serve as interim fire chief during the transition.
Rios called serving as Orange County’s fire chief “the greatest honor” of his career. He thanked Demings, county commissioners, county leadership and Orange County Fire Rescue employees for their support.
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