Swampscott fire chief test results in

SWAMPSCOTT – Scores from the fire chief assessment center are in and Acting Deputy Chief Kevin Breen received the highest score out of the four candidates, according to Town Administrator Andrew Maylor.Acting Chief Kevin Thomsen, Capt. Graham Archer, Lt. James Potts and Breen all participated in the assessment process, which was held Sept. 14.Thomsen was appointed acting chief as of July 2, when former acting chief Michael Champion retired. Champion was appointed acting chief in July 2008 when Chief Richard Carmody, the last permanent fire chief, retired. Thomsen said he did not do well in the assessment center process.”I didn’t pass,” Thomsen said. “I know the other three guys who took it all passed.”Breen, who is officially a captain and the fire prevention officer, has been with the department for 24 years.Breen confirmed he received the top score on the exam but declined to discuss specifics related to the test or scores.”(Town Administrator Andrew) Maylor is entering into negotiations with me,” Breen said. “My understanding is he hopes to make a recommendation (to the selectmen) in November.”Town officials have previously hired permanent chiefs based on the results of the written civil service exam, but in recent years no one in the department passed. Selectmen voted earlier this year to move from a Civil Service written exam for chief to a Civil Service based assessment center without a written component. Maylor said the assessment, which was attended by a representative from Civil Service, consisted of tactical exercises, a mock press event and a mock community meeting.