Maine's fire marshal retiring after 14 years
PORTLAND, Maine—Maine's fire marshal for the past 14 years is retiring at the end of the month.
John C. Dean of Winthrop was a Maine firefighter for 27 years before becoming fire marshal in 1998. He was a member of the Old Town department from 1971 to 1989, rising to the rank of deputy chief. He was Wells fire chief from 1989 to 1998.
Dean oversaw the updating of Maine's fire codes. He also oversaw the reduction in inspection backlogs by his office of public buildings, day-care centers and nursing homes. He promoted legislation to prohibit the sale of novelty lighters, the enactment of fire-safe cigarettes and the establishment of Maine's Juvenile Fire Safety Collaborative.
Assistant Fire Marshal Joseph Thomas will serve as acting fire marshal until a successor is named.
