As seven candidates compete to become Baltimore’s fire chief, union members say they want an outsider to head the agency.

“We want someone who won’t bring a preconceived notion to the department,” said Stephan Fugate, president of the Fire Officers union.

“We want someone who doesn’t have 30 years of grudges or a cadre of cronies. Someone from the outside is probably the best choice.”

A five-member panel, including Baltimore Deputy Mayor Christopher Thomaskutty and Howard County Deputy Fire Chief Chris Shimer, interviewed seven candidates for the job Tuesday.

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Mayor Sheila Dixon’s spokesman, Sterling Clifford, declined to identify the candidates but said three are black, three white and one Hispanic.

Three of the candidates come from outside Maryland, while four live in the state, Clifford added.

The panel will recommend three candidates, who will then interview with Dixon.

“Baltimore has long been recognized as one of the premier fire departments in the country,” Clifford said. “We want to keep that tradition going and improve some of the areas where we know there are shortcomings.”

Shimer was the author of a critical 117-page investigation into the Feb. 9 death of Baltimore City Fire Department recruit Racheal Wilson, who died in a training exercise. In that report, he found about 50 violations of national fire standards, and listed dozens of missteps and errors during the fatal live burn on Calverton Road.

Marred in controversy over Wilson’s death, embattled Baltimore City Fire Chief William Goodwin resigned Dec. 1. In the meantime, Gregory Ward, a department veteran of 30 years, is serving as acting chief.

lbroadwater@baltimoreexaminer.com