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City looks west for help picking fire chief

To get an unbiased view, the Greeley, Colo., fire chief will join Largo officials in interviewing the candidates.

LARGO - City Manager Steven Stanton is bringing in a Colorado fire chief to help select Largo's new chief.

Stanton, who intends to name a new fire chief by Nov. 8, considers both candidates, Deputy Chiefs Tom Tarulli and Jeff Bullock, to be "personal friends."

"I typically don't have situations where I hire people I have a friendship with," he said. "It's good to bring in someone from the outside who doesn't know either one of (them)."

The city is looking for a replacement for Chief E. Caroll Williams, who is retiring Feb. 28.

Douglas P. Forsman, fire chief in Greeley, Colo., will be in Largo Nov. 2-5 to talk to firefighters and interview the two candidates. His trip will cost the city about $3,000 to $5,000, which includes air fare and hotel expenses.

Forsman, who knew Stanton when they both worked in Champaign, Ill., will meet with each member of the command staff and then gather input from firefighters at their stations.

Stanton, Williams, Forsman and Human Resources Director Susan Sinz will interview the two candidates Nov. 5.

The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2427 asked to be involved with the interview process. But Stanton does not think it's fair for the candidates to have to obtain a union endorsement.

Stanton said the union can submit questions for the two candidates instead.

Tarulli has been deputy chief of management services since 1997. Bullock, former president of the union, was promoted to deputy chief of fire and EMS operations last year.

"I would be concerned Jeff not be penalized that he went (over) to the dark side by going into management," Stanton said.

At the same time, Tarulli shouldn't be concerned that the union would not support him because Bullock was the former president, Stanton said.

IAFF president Tim Baker said the union will not be recommending a successor for Williams, but will voice its concerns to Stanton.

"We want someone who is able to come in and boost the morale of our department," Baker said. "We want someone who is going to promote diversity within our rank-and-file."

Shannon Tan can be reached at shtan@sptimes.com or 445-4174.