Mayor Toni N. Harp has named retired Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Black to serve as acting fire chief as Fire Chief Allyn Wright retired Monday, according to a release.
Black will take the role effective Jan. 11. Assistant Chief of Operations Matt Marcarelli is in command until then.
Harp has said the city will conduct a national search for a new fire chief.
“I have a love for the department, saw that they were going to need someone in the interim. I put my name in the hat and I’m feeling fortunate that I was selected,” Black said. Black said he’d be interested in applying to fill the role permanently, though the qualifications for New Haven’s next fire chief may be different than they are now. Harp created a committee to refine the job description and qualifications, which will be approved and posted before the screening process begins.
“If I have what they’re looking for, I certainly would put my name in,” Black said.
Black served for 27 years in the New Haven Fire Department and retired in 2014 after eight years as assistant chief of operations.