EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Fire Department has a new captain to replace John Phillips, who retired as captain after 32 years on the job.

Capt. Kevin Benson, 34, of Southampton, is now one of the department's five captains after serving as a full-time firefighter in the city for 11 years.

He was sworn in Friday during a short ceremony at the Public Safety Complex. A 25-year-old full-time firefighter in Belchertown, Richard Aldrich, 25, was also sworn-in as an on-call firefighter in the same ceremony.

Fire Chief David Mottor said Phillips left some big shoes to fill when he retired on Jan. 1. While serving as the department's fire prevention officer for the last 14 years, Phillips was responsible for doing inspections to ensure that businesses and residences conform to fire codes.

"It's probably one of the most thankless jobs in any department," Mottor said. "A lot of officers that go into the position don't stay long, because it's a tough job."

Capt. Wayne Hennemann, a member of the force since 1995, has taken on the fire prevention position since Phillips retired.

Mottor said Benson easily passed a state civil service examination to become a captain and is very capable of taking on the position. "He was the only one to pass the test, but he was already my number one candidate," Mottor said. "He's cool and level-headed - I've never seen him sweat - and he is ambitious about seeking new education and training."

The Fire Department is now staffed to the extent that the city budgeted for fiscal 2012, Mottor said. But vacancies that were not filled due to budget concerns mean the department is still short a deputy chief and one full-time firefighter, compared to staffing levels in the mid-1990s, he said.

Rebecca Everett can be reached at reverett@gazettenet.com.