The retired Oak Bluffs fire chief will be returning in an advisory role this year to aid the department as it searches for a new deputy chief.

The town’s select board appointed former chief Nelson Wirtz as a technical advisor on Tuesday. The role will allow him to help firefighters keep up with the department’s day-to-day workload.

The fire department asked the town’s select board on last week to appoint Mr. Wirtz for the temporary role. The deputy chief position opened when former deputy chief Stephen Foster was appointed as the fire chief in late October. 

According to assistant town administrator Wendy Brough, who presented the job description to the board on Thursday, the bulk of the advisor’s work will consist of fire safety inspections, fire prevention and code enforcement. Mr. Wirtz would also help train the new Deputy Chief once one is hired.

Chief Foster voiced concerns that the department will not be able to keep up with fire inspections without assistance from Mr. Wirtz.

“We do not have a deputy chief…I’m trying to do both roles and a lot of fire inspections,” Chief Foster said. “I do not want to fall behind any further than we already are.”

Ms. Brough explained to the select board that an advisor was appointed during the last transition to new fire chief. She also told the board that the position is expected to last for six months, but may need to be extended.

Select board chair Gail Barmakian voiced concerns that the job felt like more of a new role instead of an advisory position.

“This is a little more than what I envisioned as support in transition,” she said. She also questioned whether or not Mr. Writz’s level of expertise was needed to complete fire inspections and other duties at the cost of $75 an hour.

Chief Foster said that Mr. Wirtz’s expertise is necessary. In order to conduct fire inspections, members of the department have to have a fire prevention officer one certification, according to Ms. Brough. Chief Foster and Mr. Wirtz are currently the only members of the department who have the necessary certification.

Select board member Mark Leonard raised concerns about keeping up with the workload long term.

“We are already behind, you and the chief, both experienced, licensed,” Mr. Leonard said. “How are we going to make sure we don’t fall behind? What do we need to do to get to where we have the right manpower?”

Chief Foster said additional staff may be needed to address the issue in the future. 

“Is there a need not only for a deputy fire chief, but a fire prevention officer or a fire inspector position full time? It’s coming,” he said.

He added the main obstacle for volunteer members of the fire department who want to obtain the credential is time. Chief Foster told the board that in order to receive the credential, a firefighter has to attend classes at Massachusetts Firefighting Academy that span several days and complete a three-hour exam.

“It’s man hours,” he said. “They’re going to have to go away from their full time job.”

At the select board meeting on Tuesday, Ms. Barmakian asked that the language of the letter of agreement clarify that the technical advisor’s schedule be developed by the current chief to ensure that the work is meeting the department’s needs.

“The fire chief should be the moving force of what he needs,” Ms. Barmakian said.

The select board voted 3-0 to appoint Mr. Wirtz. The board also appointed Madeline Blaha as the town’s new deputy shellfish constable.