New DC Fire Chief Selected Bremante Bryant September 4, 2020 at 8:26 pm in In The News - Afternoon Headlines, NEWS Tweet The District could soon have a new fire chief. Mayor Muriel Bowser has nominated John Donnelly, currently the assistant chief, for the top job. Donnelly is a 28-year veteran of the fire department. Current chief Gregory Dean is retiring, until then Donnelly will serve as acting chief. The D.C. Council must now approve Donnelly’s nomination. Tags: DC fire chief, John Donnelly, Mayor Bowser