Fire Chief Ron Nattrass will retire Jan. 2 after serving in the department since 1994 and as chief the past seven years.

But Nattrass, a West Haven resident who also served 22 years in that city's Fire Department and came to Stratford as deputy chief 13 years ago, has already worked his last day. The rest of his time on the town payroll is unused vacation until his retirement becomes official.

Deputy Chief John J. Cybart, who has also worked in the department since 1994, when he was named assistant chief, has been appointed acting chief by Mayor James R. Miron.

A national search will be conducted to replace Nattrass, who was paid an annual salary of nearly $100,000, Miron said Thursday.

But, he said Cybart is the likely choice to become chief.

"We will greatly miss Chief Nattrass," Miron said. "He was the consummate professional fireman and was a natural leader who served the department extremely well. He will be difficult to replace.

"But we also feel extremely comfortable with Deputy Chief Cybart serving as acting chief, and his long-time experience and leadership abilities could result is his being the permanent chief."

Cybart said he believes he is "as qualified as anybody else and obviously knows the town and department better than any of the other candidates." The Milford resident will be 52 today.

"I have dedicated the last 13 years to this department and would love to be named chief," Cybart said.

Before joining the Stratford Fire Department, Cybart was chief of the Sikorsky Aircraft Fire Department for 20 years.

He has state certification as a fire marshal and fire instructor, and is among several fire administrators in the state to have earned the designation of chief fire officer.

Nattrass, 57, said he will miss Stratford, but feels it is "time to move on.

"I've been in firefighting for nearly 35 years and felt this was just the time to do something different," he said. "Right now I'm just going to Florida to relax and play golf. I'll think about what's next when the time is right."

Nattrass, however, strongly supports the promotion of the long-time deputy chief to his job.

"I could never have accomplished all the things I did without John at my side," Nattrass said. "He's clearly the most qualified person for the job, and the town would be lucky to have him in that post."

Assistant Fire Chief Paul Gazso is also retiring Jan 2 after 31 years, along with a lieutenant and three other firefighters, Cybart said.