Gregory B. Ward was named acting chief of the Baltimore Fire Department yesterday, replacing William J. Goodwin Jr., who announced his resignation in November and is to depart Dec. 31.

Mayor Sheila Dixon's office said in a statement that Ward, who was the deputy chief of operations, will be acting chief until a nationwide search for a permanent leader is completed. Officials are accepting applications, and top candidates will be interviewed by a six-member panel.

Ward, a 30-year veteran of the department, graduated from Loyola High School in 1974 and from the Baltimore Fire Academy in 1977. He rose from firefighter to pump operator to lieutenant and captain. In 1991, he was promoted to battalion chief.