Orange County Fire Rescue Celebrates Promotional Ceremony

Orange County Fire Rescue celebrated a promotional ceremony for officers, firefighters and administrators on November 18, 2021, the first one since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The in-person ceremony included promotions for two Division Chiefs; Lauraleigh Avery with Emergency Operations and John Westmoreland with Logistics; Assistant Chiefs, Battalion Chiefs, Captains, Lieutenants, Engineers, Fire Inspectors, Dispatch personnel and administrative positions.

“It was my honor to be a part of the recent promotional ceremony where we celebrated the achievements of many personnel into new roles in the Department. The men and women promoted represent the very best of the fire service and their promotions were well deserved,” said Fire Chief James Fitzgerald.

Division Chiefs Avery and Westmoreland were sworn in by County Administrator Byron Brooks while Officers, Engineers and Dispatchers were sworn in by Division Chief Michael Wajda.

The event, held at the Faith Assembly of God in Orlando, concluded with a pinning ceremony where family members who once served or currently serve in either Public Safety or the Military could do the honor of pinning the badge on to the uniform of their loved ones at the stage.