Firefighter test scores certified

04/15/2006

William Kaempffer , Register Staff

NEW HAVEN — A 19-year veteran of the Fire Department is the top candidate to be the next assistant chief of operations, the third-highest rank in the department. Battalion Chief Ralph Black Jr. received the highest score on a recent promotional exam, which was certified last week by the Civil Service Commission. The commission also approved a promotional list for assistant drillmaster, a position in the training division.

When the actual promotions will happen, however, is anyone’s guess.

Black joined the department in 1987 and rose through the ranks, making lieutenant in 1996 and captain in 1998. In 2000, he was promoted to battalion chief.

The chief of operations job has been vacant since 2003 when Fire Chief Michael Grant, who held the position, was elevated to the top spot.

This week, Grant said he wasn’t certain of the timetable but "absolutely" looked forward to people advancing in the department.

The top three scores in the assistant chief’s job all were within fractions of a percent of each other.

Black’s score was 89.39, followed by Capt. William Seward III, the department’s director of training, with 88.73. Deputy Chief Thomas Holman finished third with 88.58.

The top scores for assistant drillmaster were Firefighters Antonio Almodovar, 91.71; Michael Blatchley, 91.11; and Frank Ricci, 90.82.

Under the city charter, Grant can choose from the top three candidates in each test to recommend for promotion but, historically, promotions in the fire department have gone straight down the list.

The timetable is uncertain because promotions can’t be made until they’re approved by a court-mandated monitor and a judge. In 2002, Superior Court Judge Lynda Munro had ordered the city to retain a special master to oversee promotions as part of a successful lawsuit by minority firefighters over an illegal promotional practice.

William Clendenen, a New Haven lawyer who is the special master, did not return a call for comment. How long the review might take is unclear since these are the first promotions to go through the process, city officials said.

"There’s no formal timetable for action, but both Mr. Clendenen and Judge Munro are aware that people are eager to move forward with these. If possible, I’m sure they’re going to work to be as expeditious while being as thorough as they can be," said city Corporation Counsel Thomas W. Ude Jr.

Once Clendenen and Munro sign off, the chief can recommend candidates to the fire commission.

The assistant chief’s job comes with a $85,196 salary and the assistant drillmaster makes $68,266.

"The union has fought very hard to get these positions filled," said Firefighter Patrick Egan, president of the fire union, "and the candidates are going to do an excellent job once these positions get filled.

"It’s good to have it done."