Chief Philip Selberg Courtesy of the South Portland Fire Department

South Portland Fire Department’s Interim Fire Chief Philip Selberg has been promoted to fire chief. Selberg has worked with the South Portland Fire Department since 1998, and has been interim fire chief since James Wilson retired in February.

Selberg officially began his new role on May 18.

“I’ve been here with the fire department for almost 25 years,” Selberg said. “I started out as a basic EMT and worked my way up through to be a paramedic company officer and then a deputy chief.”

Selberg became deputy fire chief in 2018, in charge of training and special operations. Selberg also holds a master of public administration degree from the University of Maine, a B.S. degree in applied technical leadership from the University of Southern Maine, and an A.A.S. degree in fire science technology from Southern Maine Technical College (SMCC).

“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,” said Selberg.

The city selected Selberg out of 28 applicants. The top four candidates were interviewed by a panel that included the city manager, police chief, human resources director,  Portland’s fire chief.

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

Selberg was sworn in on May 18 at the South Portland Community Center.

The South Portland Fire Department has 73 employees and 31 company call members with three main stations staffed 24/7.

Selberg said of the department and their purpose, “(it’s a) great group of people here ready to meet that mission, and it’s really just a privilege to be asked to lead them.”