After months of testing, background checks and interviews, the finalists' names were forwarded Wednesday to Mayor John M. Fabrizi, who will select one as chief.

The other two finalists are Daniel Andrus, a fire battalion chief in Salt Lake City, and George Morgan, a retired battalion chief in Howard County, Md. Morgan now supervises fire protection for Northrop Grumman, a large defense contractor.

Andrus was the top finisher on the battery of tests administered for the chief's job, while Rooney came in second and Morgan third. The mayor is not bound to make his consideration according to that ranking, however, and can choose any one of the three.

The process of hiring a new fire chief was delayed in March when New Haven firefighter Abraham Colon, the sixth-ranked applicant, appealed his score and ranking.

That appeal was rejected by the city's Civil Service Commission Tuesday night, clearing the way for the names of the top three finalists to be forwarded to the mayor, said Ralph Jacobs, the city personnel director.

Jacobs said the candidates now before Fabrizi represent well-qualified applicants.

"I think we are very fortunate. The city charter requires three qualified people and he's got three qualified people," Jacobs said.

Fabrizi could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

Andrus is a 27-year veteran of the Salt Lake City Fire Department who moved up through the ranks to become a battalion chief.

Fabrizi appointed Rooney as Bridgeport's provisional chief last year after former Chief Michael Maglione left to become Waterbury's chief. Rooney has served on the Bridgeport force for 33 years.

Morgan spent 27 years with the Howard County Fire Service in Maryland before retiring as battalion chief to direct fire protection for Northrop Grumman's 54 sites nationwide. The company employs 120,000 workers.

Bill Cummings, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6230.