New Frederick County Fire Chief Named In Agency Shake-Up

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner is naming a new chief of fire-and-rescue services.

The Frederick News-Post reports that Gardner announced on Monday the return of Tom Owens to lead the agency.

Owens resigned in June 2013, shortly before the previous administration appointed Denise Pouget as chief. Gardner announced Pouget's departure on Thursday.

Pouget says she was forced out, along with two of her deputies.

The president of the Frederick County Career Firefighters Association, John Neary, had expressed dissatisfaction with Pouget's management style.

Neary said last year that Pouget's lack of communication had caused low morale and confusion among the county's professional firefighters.