An outside interview panel has reselected the city’s fire chief, Joseph Barron, to continue in the job. The panel conducted interviews with both Barron and Gary Smyth after a Civil Commission ruling stated that the selection process was unfair, and mandated the city to hire a panel of outside experts to redo the process. Each candidate participated in four interview components with the interview panel, and according to the decision, Barron set himself apart. He “demonstrated ability to think outside the box when faced with complicated issues,” the ruling states. Mayor Thomas Koch supported the recommendation and rehired Barron as the chief.