LV fire chief to retire

Las Vegas Fire Department Chief David Washington, who has been with the department for 33 years and its chief for the past six, announced his retirement on Thursday.

“It has been a true honor to be able to serve this community,” Washington said in a statement released late Thursday. “I am so proud to watch our department grow into one of the best in the world. The citizens of Las Vegas deserve the very best.”

During the past six years, the number of fire stations in the city grew from 10 to 16.

The Fire Department also was accredited for the first time by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, a top honor for fire departments, according to the report.

Washington joined the department on Sept. 13, 1974.

His last day will be Oct. 1.