Seminole County invests in security improvements at fire stations | FOX 35 Orlando
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Seminole County invests in security improvements at fire stations

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Published  April 9, 2025 7:08pm EDT
Seminole County
FOX 35 Orlando

Seminole County invests in security at fire stations

After a dozen vehicles were broken into, Seminole County’s Board of Commissioners has just approved $184,000 in funding for safety improvements at Fire Station 12 and Fire Station 14.

The Brief

    • Seminole County approved $184,000 for security upgrades at Fire Stations 12 and 14 after a string of vehicle break-ins occurred while firefighters were out on emergency calls.
    • The funding will cover new fences, lighting, and cameras to help deter future crimes and protect first responders.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - Seminole County’s Board of Commissioners has just approved $184,000 in funding for safety improvements at Fire Station 12 and Fire Station 14, after a dozen vehicles were broken into.

Safety improvements coming soon!

What we know:

The money just approved will go toward fences at Fire Stations 12 and 14, and toward lighting and cameras at other stations if there’s money leftover. Officials say the fire stations may have been targeted while they were empty due to firefighters responding to calls in the community.

What we don't know:

We still don’t know who’s responsible for the break-ins, or whether specific fire stations were targeted for any particular reason.

"We want to ensure our first responders are not victimized while acting in service to the community"

What they're saying:

"I don't think anyone ever thought that type of thing would happen until it did," said firefighter Lt. Jonathan Divita. "Then now that thought’s on your mind that, ‘Hey, we got to get back real quick to see if our car is still there or if our possessions are still there.’"

"People were pretty frustrated and they were looking for some action to be done to kind of deter the criminals," Lt. Divita added.

Commissioner Chair Jay Zembower told FOX 35 the break-ins seem to be crimes of opportunity.

"As our firefighters get alerted to come help the community, then everybody leaves the station, but then all the things are left behind at the station unattended and unmonitored," said Zembower. "Unfortunately we've got to take these steps to protect that."

"Since the break-ins, we have worked closely with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office to reinforce safety measures," said Seminole County Fire Chief Matt Kinley. "We want to ensure our first responders are not victimized while acting in service to the community."

"You would hope that it was an isolated incident," said District 3 Commissioner Lee Constantine. "Certainly now with the security measures. If they try it again, they're going to get caught."

FOX 35 News spoke previously with John Westmoreland, the Division Chief of Logistics for Orange County Fire Rescue, which had 3 stations suffer break-ins.

"It’s unconscionable, it’s criminal," Westmoreland said shortly after the burglaries. "And it’s preying on folks that are literally taking an oath and willing to give their life to help serve the community."

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:

The Source: FOX 35’s Marie Edinger called Seminole County Fire Rescue about this. She talked over Zoom with Lt. Jonathan Divita, a firefighter at one of the Seminole County fire stations that was targeted. Fire Chief Matt Kinley couldn’t interview the day of the story, but sent a detailed statement discussing the issue and the funding. She also reached out to every Seminole County Commissioner. She talked via Zoom with Commission Chair Jay Zembower and District 3 Commissioner Lee Constantine, and over the phone with the Vice Chair, Katherine Herr, who is the District 5 Commissioner. Edinger also talked on the phone with the Public Information Officer for Orange County Fire Rescue, and reviewed documents from the Seminole County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Seminole CountyCrime and Public Safety