Steve Carrier promoted to chief of Gilford Fire; under budget pressure, department will cut staff

GILFORD — At its meeting last week, the Board of Fire Engineers announced current Deputy Chief Steve Carrier will become fire chief as of Oct. 2.

Carrier began his New Hampshire firefighting career in Gilford and returned to the department in 2010 after serving in Laconia and as the Tilton-Northfield fire chief for seven years. He replaces outgoing Fire Chief John Beland.

While Carrier's promotion was expected, the fire engineers also chose to eliminate the 32-hour a week fire inspector's position and to eliminate the full-time executive secretary position, opting instead for a 32-hour a week secretary/receptionist position with no benefits.

The department has chosen to maintain the position of deputy chief, who along with the chief will be responsible for operations, administration, training and inspections.

Carrier estimates the personnel reductions will save about $43,000 or about 2.8-percent from the salary and benefits line in 2012.

"The selectmen are between a rock and a hard place," said Fire Engineer Phil Brouillard who noted that every department has had to take some kind of budget reduction for 2012 and the fire department is no exception.

"We have to make the choices that don't effect the quality of our work or the safety of our residents," he continued.

Brouillard said the decision to keep the position of deputy chief will allow the department to continue with the high-quality training level currently afforded to Gilford's call firefighters.

"We train them hard, often and well," said Brouillard who said the department's effectiveness is largely dependent on the core of an "active and well-trained call company."

He said the call company saves the taxpayers money by not having to depend solely on professional full-time staff.

Carrier said the decisions to re-adjust the administration of the department was because "we certainly didn't want to loose any line people. We'd rather make the cuts in management."

Carrier said the shifts in administration will begin in January and both the position of deputy chief and secretary-receptionist will be advertised.