Deputy Chief Paul Christian today was named the city of Boston's new fire chief.

A 32-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department, Christian was appointedto the post by Mayor Thomas Menino.

The fire department is in the process of a major reorganization.

Christian will fill a vacancy created by the recent retirement Fire Commissioner Martin Pierce. Under the reorganization plan the city will have both a fire chief and a new fire commissioner. The chief will report to the commissioner who can be a civilian.

Over the past year the fire department has undergone an extensive examination by a special task force appointed by Mayor Menino.

The separation of the two ranking positions on the department was one of the many recommendations made by the Task Force.

The examination of the fire department was set in motion following a special Boston Globe report concerning the management and operations of the department.

Christian has been rumored in recent weeks as the many the Mayor would likely appoint as the new Chief.

In 1998 the new Fire Chief was honored by the Department when he was given a Distinguish Service award for the work he did in bringing about the establishment of the special memorial on Commonwealth Avenue honoring the nine Boston firefighters who were killed fighting the destruction Hotel Vendome fire in 1972. The memorial is located near the site of the hotel.