South Portland’s interim Fire Chief Philip Selberg will fill the role permanently starting May 18, the city announced Wednesday.

Selberg has served as interim chief since former Chief James Wilson retired Feb. 3.

Selberg

“The South Portland Fire Department has some of the most talented and caring providers in the industry, and I am grateful to have been selected to be their next chief,” he said in a city press release.

Selberg joined the department in 1998, and 10 years later was named deputy chief, in charge of training and special operations.

He was selected as chief from a field of 28 applicants.

“We had excellent candidates to select from, and Chief Selberg rose to the top,” City Manager Scott Morelli said. “He is the right person at the right time to lead the department, and I look forward to continuing to work with him.”

The fire department has 73 employees and 31 call company members and an operating budget of more than $6 million. In 2022, it responded to 5,921 fire/EMS calls, according to the city.

Selberg will be paid an annual salary of $114,899. The public is invited to attend his swearing-in ceremony at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at the South Portland Community Center.