Fire Chief Search Down to Three Finalists

The search that began when Fire Chief Kevin Murphy announced his retirement last year is nearing completion.

Mayor Joseph Sullivan said he is down to three finalists for the top job at the Braintree Fire Department: Deputy Chief Steven Sawtelle, Lt. Edward Bulger and and Lt. James O’Brien. Sullivan said he would make his decision within the next two weeks.

Acting Chief Robert Dyer, who was not one of the original five internal applicants, has been helming the department since Murphy's retirement in January. Sullivan has taken the intervening months and the search to conduct a wider review of the department.

"We're very comfortable with the job that Chief Dyer is doing," Chief of Staff and Operations Peter Morin said.

Earlier this year, Sullivan said that the hiring process has created an opportunity to examine areas such as overtime expenses, the 24-hour shift and even explore the possibility of regionalization. Collective bargaining is starting now and the contract is up July 1.

Sullivan said he has interviewed all three finalists, asking them about their experience and qualifications, but also about how they think the department's administrative side can operate more efficiently. The mayor stressed that he has seen the firefighters in action and that he knows their dedication.

"When the bell rings, I know the firefighters are ready," Sullivan said.