The City of Socorro said it has selected its final four candidates for fire chief for its first paid fire department.

The four candidates were taken around the city on Thursday and shown different fire hazard areas. The candidates were chosen from a pool of 36 candidates from all over the country. Three candidates are from different states and only one candidate is from El Paso.

"When you look around the county as far as fire chief's position, this was a very unique opportunity," said Donald Hughes, a candidate from California.

Unique because the fire chief will get to build the fire department from scratch. The new fire chief will have to integrate the paid firefighters with the volunteer firefighters.

"You've got to show them respect. You've got to treat them right and you're going to need them," said James Langborg another candidate.

None of the volunteer firefighters will be displaced.

The fire chief's salary is expected to be $88,000.