Acting fire chief gets busy fast

09/26/2007

By Ed Stannard , Register Metro Editor

WEST HAVEN - Robert S. Schwartz's first day as acting fire chief was hectic, even though the fire alarms weren't blaring.

"It's very busy. There's a lot of administrative stuff and phone calls that you need to field," Schwartz, known by his middle name, Scott, said Tuesday.

Schwartz, 43, who still answers the phone "Deputy Chief Schwartz," stepped in Tuesday as "acting interim" chief of the West Haven Fire Department after Chief William L. Abbott retired. Abbott recently surprised many in the city with the announcement that he'd be leaving the top post after seven months.

The department, which serves the First, or Center, Fire District, is one of three independent professional fire departments in the city. Its 54 members serve more than half its population and 40 percent of its area.

Schwartz said there were no major calls on Tuesday. "It's pretty manageable today," he said. Referring to the chief's and deputy chief's jobs, Schwartz said, "It's a two-person position that I'm going to do for a while," but added that his staff would be a big help.

Joseph P. Callahan Jr., secretary of the district's three-member Board of Fire Commissioners, said any officer in the department with 10 years' service can apply for the chief's post by the Oct. 3 deadline. "Right now, we're in the process of applications from the guys in the department who are qualified," he said.

"I'm going to assume that everybody who's eligible to apply will apply."

Schwartz said that besides himself, there are four captains and seven lieutenants in the department, though one does not live in West Haven, which is required to be chief. The charter does not allow applicants from outside the department.

Fire Commission Chairman Bruce E. Sweeney praised Schwartz, but said the process would be open to all.

"Scott is very talented, no two ways about it. ... This is a way for us to individually get to know the talent we have," Sweeney said.

The chief's position pays $104,000 annually.

Ed Stannard can be reached at estannard@nhregister.com, or 789-5743.