The Westport Island selectmen got some bad news at their meeting Monday evening from Fire Chief Robert Mooney.

"We are in need of a new assistant fire chief," Mooney said. "Rusty Robertson, the current assistant fire chief, has been offered a position in Greenville, S.C. he cannot refuse."

"This is certainly sad news for the town," First Selectman George Richardson said. However, the good news is that the Robertsons will keep their home on the island, according to Mooney.

"Robertson's resignation is effective as of July 1, and the town has to have an assistant chief in order to operate. "If I can't find one, we may have to consolidate with another fire department," Mooney said.

"This is a very serious predicament to be in. He or she doesn't necessary have to live on Westport, but must have firefighting experience. I just can't appoint anyone to be assistant chief. The person has to be qualified to fulfill the duties of fire chief. The lives and safety of our citizens could be put into that person's hands."

"Although we have 15 members in our department, not all are trained to go into a burning building, and I will not appoint someone that is not qualified. We are between a rock and a hard place," Mooney said. "We are required to have an assistant chief."

Robertson joined the Westport Island Fire Department in 1986, and became assistant chief in 1988. In 1998, after the death of Fire Chief Alan Anderson, Robertson became chief and remaining as chief until 2005. Following Robertson's resignation Mooney took over as chief, and Robertson stayed on as assistant chief.

"There is a strong need for volunteers that are willing to be trained in firefighting," Mooney said. "We are always looking for new members to participate. There is a place for everyone. I hope that a qualified person will come forward."

There have been only six fire chiefs since the Westport Island Fire Department was incorporated in 1955: Paul L. Hodgdon was the first Fire Chief; Herb Cromwell, the second; Lew Delano, the third; Alan Anderson, the fourth; Robertson, the fifth; and Mooney, the sixth.

Anyone interested and qualified to become assistant fire chief is asked to contact either the town office at 882-8477, or Mooney at 882-5952. The fire department is made up of volunteers; no one, including the chief and assistant chief, are paid, nor do they get paid when they go out on a fire call, as some volunteer firefighters do.