City starts interviews to replace fire chief
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on November 16, 2006 1:45 PM
When Goldsboro Fire Chief Bobby Greenfield's retirement becomes official Dec. 29, the city management team said they don't intend to keep his office vacant long.
In fact, finding the right person to replace the 32-year firefighter has become a top priority at City Hall.
Assistant City Manager Tasha Logan said she joined City Manager Joe Huffman, Greenfield and others earlier this week to begin the interview process for the first wave of applicants.
"We started the interviewing on Tuesday and then continued all day Wednesday," Ms. Logan said. "We had a lot of applications that came in -- a lot of well-qualified applicants."
As of today, that pool of applicants has been narrowed to four, she added.
"I think we're trying to make sure we make a selection based on what the fire department needs," Ms. Logan said. "Once we interview the four, we will narrow it down."
All of those who remain have been given a tour of Goldsboro and its facilities, she added -- to ensure the city finds "the right fit." Some candidates might be brought back within the next few weeks for further discussion with city leaders.
After the interview process is complete, the appointment will be made official by a committee, Ms. Logan said.
Officials said they are looking for leadership qualities they found in Greenfield himself, who served Goldsboro as a firefighter for nearly 25 years before becoming chief in 1999.
His replacement will likely take the reins shortly after his last day on Center Street and, like Greenfield, will oversee an 83-man department that includes 39 firefighters and 21 officers.
"The timetable is to have them in place by the beginning of the year," Ms. Logan said. "I think we'll be able to select the new chief from the four we have remaining."