Orange County, FL – Orange County Fire Chief Carl Plaugher has announced his retirement effective November 18. Chief Plaugher has been Orange County’s Fire Chief since December 2000 and his career spans 39 years as a fire service professional. “I applaud Carl for his leadership and 11 years of meritorious service to the citizens of Orange County,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “He stood tall on many occasions including three consecutive hurricanes in 2004. His shoes will be difficult to fill.”
Under Chief Plaugher’s command, the Orange County Fire Rescue Department grew from 31 fire stations to 41. He oversaw a significant increase in the diversity of the organization and helped it become the nation’s fifth largest fire rescue department to gain national accreditation.
Mayor Jacobs has appointed Deputy Fire Chief Jim Fitzgerald to serve as Interim-Fire Chief until a permanent replacement can be found. The county will conduct a national search to recruit Orange County’s next Fire Chief.
