A man with nearly 30-years of fire service in the city of Dallas was officially sworn in as the new fire chief of the Orlando Fire Department.
On Tuesday morning, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer swore in Charlie Salazar as the 21st Orlando Fire Department Chief during a ceremony in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Salazar began his career in fire service nearly 29 years ago as a firefighter paramedic for Dallas Fire Rescue. Over the years, he worked his way through the ranks until he reached Executive Deputy Chief. The Dallas Fire Rescue currently manages more than 2,000 members across multiple fire departments.
“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,” reads a statement from the city of Orlando.