Deputy Fire Chief William Carrico will be leaving to take the reigns of the Halifax Fire Department as its newest chief. Carrico was appointed by the Halifax Board of Selectmen last week. He said that he is currently working out a contract with his new employer and will probably take over the job full time between September 7-14

Fire Chief Kevin Nord said that Carrico's departure is “bittersweet,” as he wishes his former deputy well but will feel his absence on the department.

“He's been an incredible asset to us here,” Nord said.

Carrico joined the Duxbury Fire Department in 1999, starting as a firefighter/paramedic. Before that, he worked for the Central Artery Tunnel Project –– the “Big Dig” –– as a draftsman and senior construction engineer. But he soon found himself wanting a new career.

“I was driving into Boston every day,” he said. “It was difficult ... I wasn't very satisfied. I wanted to do something to help people.”

Carrico's father was a lieutenant in the Brockton Fire Department. He took the test several times, but couldn't' get into the Brockton force. Eventually, he was hired in Duxbury, where he became deputy chief in August of 2006.

“It was one of those opportunities that presented itself,” he said.

Carrico credited Duxbury Fire Chief Kevin Nord for teaching him the leadership skills he'll need in his new post.

“Chief Nord took me under his wing,” he said. “He really mentored me. If it wasn't for his leadership I wouldn't be here.”

Nord said the position of deputy chief would be definitely filled, and an acting deputy chief would be named as soon as Carrico starts his new job. Although the appointment is not technically under Civil Service, Nord said the department's in house policy is based on the test. Town Manager Richard MacDonald will have the final say on both the acting and final appointments.

Carrico said it's the personal relationships he'll miss the most about Duxbury.

“I have a lot of friends here,” he said. “I'll have to rebuilt that ... I'm going to miss everybody that I work with.”

He'll face some challenges in Halifax, but he is eager to meet them.

“It's a very young department,” he said. “But being that person, being in charge, making the decisions –– that's exciting to me.”