Fire Chief Search Begins In Earnest This Week

A search committee formed to recommend candidates to the post of Johnston fire chief is expected to begin meeting this week, Mayor Joseph M. Polisena confirmed during an interview Monday morning at .

Polisena said the town received some 40 resumes from all over the country, including New York City, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, New Jersey, and Texas. He added that 15 Rhode Islanders have also applied for the position, which became vacant after former Fire Chief Andrew Baynes resigned in January.

Since then, Polisena has been serving as acting fire chief, with Police Deputy Chief David DeCesare — also the town's emergency management coordinator — filling an administrative role to help with the transition.

Beginning this week, the search committee — which includes Chief of Staff Doug Jeffrey, Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini, Central Coventry Fire District Chief Bob Seltzer, and Lime Rock (Lincoln) Fire Department Chief Frank M. Sylvester — will begin sifting through the resumes and "narrow down the number" before recommending finalists, said Polisena, who added that relocation to Rhode Island doesn't seem to be a sticking point with the candidates.

"We have a huge cadre of people who are willing to move," Polisena explained.

Asked for the top qualifications he's seeking, Polisena stated: "A good administrative background, knowing how to handle budgets, and they need to be a true leader."

Of the candidates, Polisena noted, were no women. According to the National Fire Protection Association, women held 4.8 percent of firefighting jobs in America in 2008.

Polisena acknowledged that the scarcity of women in the firefighting ranks made finding a qualified female candidate difficult.

"I'm disappointed that I didn't get any women applying," said the mayor. "I would have liked to have a woman as fire chief here in Johnston."