The search for Marion’s next fire chief has attracted several highly qualified candidates, including New Bedford’s fire chief and the director of the Rhode Island Fire Academy.

Selectmen will have met with six applicants to fill the position left vacant by Fire Chief Tom Joyce who retires at the end of this month.

Three applicants were interviewed on Thursday night, and all candidates were asked the same 12 questions.

Interviewed were Acushnet Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher, New Bedford Fire Chief Michael Gomes and Director of the Rhode Island Fire Academy Mark Pare. The names of the other finalists will become known during the second round of interviews, set for Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. in the Town House conference room.

Town Administrator Paul Dawson said the finalists had excellent credentials. The pay range for the positions has not yet been announced.

Gomes said his public safety background is deep. Every male member on his father’s side of the family has served in the New Bedford Fire Department.

“It’s the family business,” said Gomes.

He joined the department 25 years ago, and for the past four and a half years has been the fire chief. Gomes said he’s worked in every position in the fire service, from dispatcher to chief, except as a fire investigator.

“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Gomes said. “It’s part of my core.”

Selectmen asked Gomes to define his leadership style and how he would gain the trust of the department, police and residents if hired.

“You need to show them you are a member of the team and have their interests at heart,” he said. “The last thing you want to do is come in and alienate the present staff.”

Several questions focused on the challenge of keeping morale high at Marion’s volunteer department. Selectmen noted it’s been increasingly difficult to hire firefighters who are local and able to respond in time for a blaze.

Gomes said it’s important to create an atmosphere of camaraderie. When asked about his leadership style, Gomes said the chief’s actions set the tone for any department.

“This year, we had record snowfall and I was shoveling fire hydrants, I didn’t have to. If you’re asking [firefighters] to do a job you better be willing to do it,” said Gomes.

Two of the most difficult personnel decisions Gomes made was to place his brother on suspension and terminate an officer who wasn’t acting in the department’s interest. His brother, who was a captain, got into a shouting match with a subordinate.

“I expect more out of a captain than I do a lieutenant,” Gomes said.

Regarding the termination, it led to a long battle with the fire union and riled members of the department.

“That was a sobering experience. When it comes to those type of circumstances no one wins…But I would do the same thing again. I did not trust that officer,” said Gomes.

Gomes, who lives in Dartmouth with his wife, said he applied for the Marion job because he wanted to fight fires again.

“I push papers. I’m an administrator,” he said. “I’m looking at this as a chance to get in touch with my inner firefighter.”

Applicant Mark Pare, who is director of the Rhode Island Fire Academy, began his career in public safety in 1975 with a private ambulance company in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1979, he joined the Providence Fire Department and worked his way up the ranks before retiring as acting assistant chief in 2008.

From 2008 to 2010 he served as Wrentham’s fire chief.

Pare told Selectmen continuing his education has been a focus throughout his career. He earned a bachelors degree in fire science from Providence College in 1987. In 2012, he graduated from Anna Maria College with a masters degree in public administration.

Selectman Jody Dickerson asked Pare how he would address the needs of different stakeholders in town, such as the Finance Committee, Town Meeting voters and government.

Pare said being forthright and doing research before making capital requests is crucial.

“When you go before the voters you have to be able to make the argument for what you’re asking for,” Pare said.

He also addressed the issue of attracting volunteers who can be on call to ensure quick response times.

“What I see in terms of departments similar to this is that they are struggling with getting trucks out on time and struggling to have people make the commitment,” Pare said.

Of the candidates, Acushnet Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher has managed a department most similar to Marion’s. In Acushnet, at least one firefighter is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week with volunteers responding as needed. In Marion, there is one full time firefighter on the payroll, but there is not full time coverage in the station.

Gallagher started as a call firefighter in 1986. He was hired full time and became chief in 2003.

Selectman Chair Stephen Cushing asked how Marion’s ambulance department should prepare for the future.

“It’s an issue we’re all grappling with,” Gallagher said. “The number of medical related calls in 2015 has exploded over what we were handling in 2008.”

He described the increased calls as a nationwide trend due to an aging population. Reviewing how the department is staffed would be critical to maintain a high level of service, said Gallagher.

When asked what important qualities a chief should have Gallagher responded being an effective communicator and connecting with community residents and leaders.

“In my experience the position of fire chief is held in high esteem in the community,” Gallagher said. “That’s something to be nourished and cultivated.”