Mystery Surrounds Bronson's Status as Apopka Fire Chief

For the past four days, mystery, rumor and speculation have swirled around the Apopka Fire Department.

On Tuesday afternoon, Apopka Fire Chief Lee Bronson walked the short distance from his office in the Fire Department Headquarters to City Hall for a meeting. Upon leaving that meeting he told a source "This may be the last time you see me here."

Fire Chief Lee Bronson

Bronson did not return to the Fire Department after that meeting, and has not been back since, according to a source with ties to the AFD.

Three elected officials and one person with ties to the AFD have talked to The Apopka Voice on condition of anonymity. All four sources gave similar details that stated "The City of Apopka has asked Chief Bronson to retire."

On Thursday afternoon, The City of Apopka Public Information Officer Robert Sargent in an email stated "We do not comment on personnel matters." when asked if Bronson had retired, resigned or was terminated. On Friday morning when asked who the Fire Chief of Apopka is, Sargent stated "We covered this subject yesterday." He went on to say that the Apopka firefighters have been told not to talk to the news media unless given permission from the City.

The Apopka Voice called The Apopka Fire Department this morning and asked to speak to Chief Bronson. "He is not available, may I take a message?" was the reply from the person who answered the phone. When asked if Chief Bronson is still the Fire Chief of Apopka, they replied "We do not have any information at this time."

As of 11:00 AM today Bronson's title as Fire Chief remains on the City of Apopka website.

For over 10 years Chief Bronson has led a department that now has more than 80 full-time firefighters, an administrative staff of 8, 30 volunteers, and 4 fire stations.