WHAT:
In May, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the appointment of Charlie Salazar as the new Fire Chief of the Orlando Fire Department. Today,Tuesday, July 26, 2022, the Orlando Fire Department will hold thetime-honored Change of Command ceremony to recognize the department's new leadership.
The Change of Command is a traditional ceremony that marks the public transition from one Chief to the next. It marks a pivotal moment in Orlando’s history as Fire Chief Charlie Salazar will be sworn in as the 21st Orlando Fire Chief.
As the newly appointed Fire Chief, Salazar will oversee the day-to-day operations of the department and serve as chief counsel to the Mayor on matters of public safety. Chief Salazar started his career in the fire service nearly 29 years ago as a Firefighter Paramedic for Dallas Fire-Rescue and worked his way through the ranks up to Executive Deputy Chief. With a population of more than 1.3 million residents and a fire department of 2,000 members, his mission in Dallas focused on fire suppression, emergency medical services, and fostering community relationships.
Chief Salazar looks to bring that same wealth of knowledge to Orlando as he emphasizes communication and has a proven track record for solving complex issues, while fostering strong, professional relationships. His vision is to lead OFD with a commitment to providing professional development and the top-rated service Orlando residents expect all while preserving the pride and tradition that OFD has built during its 137 years.
WHEN:
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
10:00 a.m.
- Media RSVP– Media wishing to cover this event and arrange interviews, must coordinate in advance with the City of Orlando Public Information Officer, Ashley Papagni, atAshley.Papagni@orlando.gov.
- Media Arrival– Media must arriveby 9:30 a.m.to set up.Please note, to access the event space, all guests, including media, will be required to go through security screening.
- LiveBroadcasts– For media to broadcast live, portable broadband/cellular backpacks are recommended equipment as cabling options will not be available.
- Media Interviews-Immediately following the ceremony, media will have the opportunity to interview Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and new Fire Chief Charlie Salazar.
WHERE:
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 South Magnolia Avenue
Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater
For those who are not able to attend the Fire Department Change of Command Ceremony, live and encore presentations will be available atorlando.gov/firechangeofcommand.
PARKING:
MEDIA PARKING:
Media must have credentials to access the designated media parking area, which will be in the Magnolia Avenue street closure in front of the Dr. Phillips Center between Anderson and South Street. For parking, media must enter Magnolia Avenue from Anderson Street.
ATTENDEE PARKING:
Complimentary parking will be available in the City Commons Parking Garage on Boone Avenue between Anderson Street and South Street. Attendees will need to bring their parking ticket to the event for validation.
ORLANDO FIRE DEPARTMENT BACKGROUND:
Established in 1885, the Orlando Fire Department began as a group of dedicated volunteers serving to protect the lives and property of the 1,666 citizens of Orlando. Today that department has grown to 539 members who annually serve millions of visitors, resident and businesses in Orlando.
The Orlando Fire Department is rated in the top one percent of fire departments in the United States, and is the only fire department in the state of Florida to have ISO 1 classification, International Fire Accreditation, Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) certification, Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) and ACE accreditation (911/Communications Center).