An assistant fire chief in Cumberland, Rhode Island is the Selectmen’s top choice to lead the Marion Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services.

Brian Jackvony, a Cumberland resident, was selected from 48 candidates. Selectmen interviewed six finalists over the past two weeks after whittling down the field. The announcement was made after some debate at a special meeting on Thursday evening.

“It’s an exciting time for me and my family,” Jackvony said. “I’ve got thirty-two years of full-time service in the fire service. In July, I’ll be fifty-two years old and I think I have a lot to contribute and I’m looking forward to working for the town of Marion.”

The search began in January after outgoing Fire Chief Tom Joyce announced his retirement via letter. Joyce’s last day is June 30.

Jackvony met Joyce on Monday to discuss the transition and acquaint himself with the staff.

“I look forward to starting as soon as possible, pending successful contract negotiations,” Jackvony said. “It’s a beautiful little town. I’ll admit I have a lot to learn about the community.”

Jackvony said he’ll move to the area with his wife if hired.

“I understand the role of fire chief in a small community and believe that the community is best served when the chief is available on short notice,” he said.

Jackvony started as a call firefighter in the 1970s. In 1983, he joined the Providence Fire Department where he advanced to acting battalion chief. He became fire chief in the town of Valley Falls in 2007. In early 2011, Valley Falls merged with the North Cumberland Fire District and he was became chief of the combined district.

Jackvony has served on the Rhode Island Fire Education Training Board for four years. He has been a certified fire instructor for six years and also developed the Rhode Island flammable liquids task force, which grew into a statewide program under his leadership.

Selectmen arrived at the meeting with their candidate choices ranked first, second and third.

Board members Jody Dickerson and Chair Stephen Cushing had Jackvony at the top of their lists. Selectman Jon Henry listed Jackvony second, with Upton Fire Chief Aaron Goodale as his top pick.

“I heard a lot of knowledge about the Marion Fire Department. He had a good snapshot of its strengths, ratings, maintenance plans, training plans and records,” Henry said about Goodale.

Henry said Jackvony’s suggestion of requiring firefighters to meet physical standards was a sound idea.

Dickerson said Jackvony’s focus on community involvement and dedication to his crew left him impressed.

Cushing agreed with Henry and Dickerson, adding that the highly qualified candidates made the decision difficult.

“It’s flipping a coin, really,” Cushing said. Selectmen chose Goodale and Acushnet Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher as their second and third choices, respectively. should Jackvony decline the offer.

A salary range for the full-time position has not been announced. Selectmen discussed contract terms in executive session with Finance Committee Chair Alan Minard on June 11.