Tisbury fire Lieut. Joseph K. Tierney was sworn in as assistant fire chief by the selectmen Tuesday, taking over for Russell Maciel, who is retiring from the department after 44 years of service.

Mr. Maciel was honored by the selectmen and members of his department at the meeting, as was Capt. Daniel Feeney, who is retiring after 24 years in Tisbury.

Fire chief John Schilling praised Mr. Maciel and Mr. Feeney for their dedication to the department, presenting both with honorary plaques before welcoming Mr. Tierney to his new position.

Mr. Tierney has been part of the department for 26 years. He was a founding member of the Tisbury technical rescue team and singlehandedly coordinated the Tisbury Street Fair for a time.

Most recently, Mr. Tierney was instrumental in the successful construction of the new fire and ambulance building that opened in 2012.

“When it came time to build the new station, Joe became the town’s advocate,” Mr. Schilling said. As chairman of the building committee, he worked to hold all contractors accountable during the lengthy project, and was “unofficially dubbed the change order czar,” Mr. Schilling said, drawing laughter from the audience.

The selectmen unanimously approved the appointment.

“A great candidate,” selectman Tristan Israel said.