Texas Captain Demoted Over Nude Photo Shoot

A captain with the Odessa Fire Rescue has been demoted following an investigation into nude photos taken at his firehouse. Captain Orlando Rios was suspended for 10 days without pay, and demoted to lieutenant.

Captain Rios reportedly gave permission for the photos to be taken in the firehouse provided they did not include anything that identified the OFR. The photos showed the woman partially clad in turnout gear as well as lying nude on apparatus. The woman is reportedly a corrections officer for Ector County Sheriff’s Office. Captain Rios is a 19-year veteran of OFR.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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