Metro Hires Top Safety Official

A new executive will oversee the safety of the Metro system.

Metro hired a new chief safety officer, officials announced Tuesday afternoon.

Patrick Lavin will take the position vacated by Acting Chief Safety Officer Louis Brown, who submitted his resignation late last month after less than a year on the job, as News4 reported.

Lavin is second in command in the safety office of New York's subway and bus system, MTA New York City Transit. He has 30 years' experience in rail operations, maintenance and safety investigations, a statement issued by Metro said.

“I look forward to Pat joining our team and to his leadership on Metro’s safety culture improvements,” Wiedefeld said in the statement.

“Pat has a unique combination of operational and safety experience, and a proven record as a proactive and hands-on safety professional who understands how to partner with operations and maintenance teams to achieve safer practices," Wiedefeld continued. 

The leadership changes come after Wiedefeld opted to shut down Metrorail for an entire day last month to conduct emergency safety checks, and after a woman died and dozens of passengers were injured in Jan. 2015 when a train tunnel filled with smoke.

Lavin's first day on the job will be May 9, Metro said.

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