New Bedford mayor submits bill reforming fire department selection process

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE)- Mayor Jon Mitchell has submitted a petition that would reform the New Bedford Fire Department leadership selection process.

The petition would remove the positions of Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief from the Civil Service System.

One of the reasons for this change is the belief that the exam for the positions do not help battle the actual challenges New Bedford is facing.

They also reference other cities such as Lowell, Lawrence, and Dartmouth removing the Chief and Deputy Chief from their Civil Service System as a part of their decision. Mayor Mitchell stating political patronage as a bigger influence on appointment than applicable experience.

“By making ascension to the top ranks essentially a function of longevity and exam scores, the cultivation of individual leadership ability within the Fire Department is de-incentivized,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “No executive management positions in the private sector are filled by one-time tests or evaluations–and with very good reason. It takes time and careful attention to determine whether someone has the leadership skills and disposition to serve effectively in a senior executive role.”

The Mayor added, “The New Bedford City Council voted in 1996 to remove the positions of Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief from Civil Service, precisely because the system constrained the City’s ability to select the best candidates for these positions. New Bedford Fire Department is currently under the capable command of Fire Chief Scott Kruger and Deputy Chief Brian Medeiros. We have an effective leadership team despite the Civil Service system, not because of it. It’s time for the City to take a long-overdue step of removing the 19th-century constraints on leadership and development so that New Bedford will, in future decisions, have the best chance at having the leadership necessary for our Fire Department to perform with maximum effectiveness.”