Fire Chief Resigns Over Vehicle Transparency | Orlando News

Orange County Fire Chief Anthony Rios resigned amid controversy over a brand-new 2026 Ford Expedition he was set to receive — a vehicle he initially denied having, despite records showing it was already delivered. While the purchase followed all county rules, Rios admitted his earlier statement was misleading and took responsibility for how it was perceived. This isn’t his first county vehicle — he previously received a $45K Ford Expedition as deputy chief. The new SUV, costing over $14K for emergency gear, was approved for weather-related response needs. Commissioner Mayra Uribe expressed disappointment, calling for accountability, while Mayor Jerry Demings praised Rios’ 26 years of service. Deputy Chief John Westmoreland now serves as acting Fire Chief. Rios said his resignation was the best move to keep the department focused on its mission and the community it serves. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/efb6d18e47e81edb