New London — Veteran city firefighter Henry Kydd, right, has been appointed deputy chief of the New London Fire Department, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio announced Thursday.

“Henry Kydd is a consummate professional and I look forward to working with him in this new capacity,” Finizio said.

Kydd, a battalion chief who has been with the New London department for 33 years, will serve during the transition to a new chief. Ron Samul, a 41-year veteran who has been chief for the past 27 years, intends to retire April 1, 2013.

Kydd was the top-rated applicant, according to the city’s personnel office, Finizio said. All applicants were from within the department.

“With the impending retirement of Fire Chief Samul, I believe the City is fortunate to have Henry Kydd serving the department in this critical role during this time of transition,” Finizio said in a statement.

Kydd’s current annual salary is $63,926. He will receive $87,500 as deputy chief.

When he is sworn in during a ceremony at 3 p.m. March 30, Kydd will become the city’s first minority deputy chief. The department has not had a deputy chief since 2004.

“I want to thank the mayor for this opportunity to serve the department that I love,” Kydd said.

k.edgecomb@theday.com