By Laura French
WASHINGTON — D.C. Fire and EMS Chief Gregory M. Dean has announced his retirement.
Dean thanked Mayor Muriel Bowser, who appointed him in 2015, and his colleagues at the department during a news conference on Friday, saying “thank you for allowing me to be a part of your history,” according to WJLA.
Dean had previously retired as chief of the Seattle Fire Department after a total of 44 years with the department and 10 years as chief.
Bowser said she convinced Dean to come out of retirement to join the D.C. Fire and EMS Department because she wanted an experienced, forward-thinking leader, and called Dean “the best fire chief in the world.”
Bowser also announced during the news conference that she has nominated Assistant Fire Chief John Donnelly to become the department’s next chief.
Donnelly has 28 years of experience in the fire service and said during the news conference that he vows to honor the department’s core values through his leadership.