By Abbe Smith, Register Staff

WEST HAVEN — Acting Fire Chief David Collins has been chosen for the top spot in the West Shore Fire Department, capping off a year of numerous retirements including those of the former chief and deputy chief.

The Fire Commission voted unanimously Thursday night to select Collins out of four in-house candidates for the job.

Collins will fill the office vacated by former Chief Harold “Hal” Burns, who retired Sept. 1 citing health reasons after two years in the post, one of those years spent mostly on medical leave. Also this year, former Deputy Chief Clifford Burns retired after 28 years of service.

Collins on Friday called it a huge honor to be named chief.

“It has been a dream since I first entered the fire service to reach this level,” he said.

Collins, 49, joined the department in 1981, and put his time in as a rank-and-file firefighter before moving up the ladder, starting in 1997 when he was named a lieutenant. Collins was promoted to captain in 2004 and assistant chief in 2006. He has been serving as acting chief of the department since April.

Because of budgetary woes, the Fire Commission earlier this year decided to forgo filling the empty deputy chief position when Clifford Burns retired.

Now that both the assistant chief and deputy chief/fire marshal positions are vacant, the commission is going to consider restructuring at the management level, though commissioners have declined to comment on specifics.

On Friday, all three commissioners praised Collins and said he will do a great job leading the department and meeting the challenges ahead.

Commission Chairman John Biancur said Collins was chosen for his valuable experience and vision.

“He is the right person to move the department in the right direction in terms of training and the safety of our men,” he said.

Said Commissioner Al Posey: “Dave was the acting chief and he was doing a great job for us already.”

The commissioners and Collins praised the accomplishments of the other three candidates and said any one of them would have made a great leader.

“We are hoping some of the other candidates continue to strive to move up,” Commissioner Robert Pimer said.

The other candidates for the position were Capts. Gary Bloomquist, Daniel Potter and Patrick Pickering.

Biancur said each candidate was asked to submit a five- to 10-year strategic plan as part of the interviewing process, and elements from all the candidates’ plans will be used to help move the district forward.

Collins grew up in West Haven and graduated from West Haven High School in 1977.

He lives with his wife, Suzanne, and daughters, Julie and Emily.

West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien said Collins is “a great choice and will provide great leadership.” Allingtown Fire Chief Peter Massaro could not be reached for comment.

The West Shore district is facing major financial challenges. Taxpayers approved a budget this year with no tax increase, in defiance of warnings from Collins and other fire officials that the department will be in dire financial straits as a result.

Since July 1, the department has had five retirements, in addition to Clifford Burns’ retirement in April.

Collins’ contract has not yet been negotiated and Biancur declined to speculate about his salary.

Harold Burns earned a salary of about $95,600 when he retired.

Abbe Smith can be reached at asmith@nhregister.com or 789-5615.