Orange honors Fire Chief Sean Dimitropoulos as he retires after 30 years

Mayor Dan Slater and council members recognized Fire Chief Sean Dimitropoulos on Jan. 27 as he prepares to retire after three decades with the Orange City Fire Department. The council read a proclamation noting the chief’s service, deployments (including Hurricane Katrina), academy leadership and departmental work.

Chief Dimitropoulos addressed the council and the chamber, thanking colleagues and residents but also urging greater engagement between elected officials and department leaders. "As my tenure draws close, not one of you reached out," he said, calling the absence of outreach a "missed opportunity" and urging the council to "respect your department heads" and "trust them." He also recommended placing a sales‑tax initiative on the ballot so voters could decide the city’s fiscal priorities free of partisan influence.

Several council members offered personal tributes and brief remarks about the chief’s leadership and mentorship. Council members proposed a plaque honoring his 30 years of service at Station 5 and noted his successor, Alan Velasco, as a product of the department’s succession planning.

Chief Dimitropoulos’s last day was confirmed during the meeting as the Thursday following the Jan. 27 session; the council and a series of state and federal representatives presented certificates and resolutions in recognition of his service.

Next steps: the council will follow customary recognition procedures and staff indicated multiple members would have an opportunity to present additional remarks and tokens of appreciation outside of the meeting.