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WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington, D.C.'s mayor has named a new fire chief to take control of a department roundly criticized for poor service, including its response to a fatal subway accident in January.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser named Gregory Dean at a news conference Monday following a monthslong nationwide search. Dean has been the Seattle Fire Department's chief for 10 years.
The announcement comes eight months after the resignation of Chief Kenneth Ellerbe, whose tenure was marked by staffing shortages and complaints of poor service.
In January, an electrical malfunction brought a train to a halt inside a subway tunnel that became filled with smoke. Passengers were on the train for 30 minutes before firefighters arrived. District officials have said problems communicating with firefighters led to delays in evacuating the train.
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