A former Naval officer from Rhode Island has been appointed as the new fire commissioner of Boston, the first time since 1968 that an individual from outside the department has been selected. New commissioner Roderick J. Fraser Jr. spent 20 years in the Navy, most recently as commander of a fighting frigate assigned to protect offshore oil terminals in Iraq.

Fraser has no experience in municipal fire departments, but Mayor Thomas M. Menino said he was looking for someone who could prepare the department to deal with terrorist threats and institute changes in a firefighting force that has been criticized for cost overruns and abuses of overtime and sick leave.

"He has a different view of what's going on," Menino said. "Fresh face. Fresh voice. Fresh ideas. That's what he is."

Fraser, 42, is being greeted warmly by city watchdogs, who said an outsider may be capable of making changes that previous commissioners largely have not. The new commissioner, who will start work Sept. 5, said he will spend time getting acquainted with the department.

"I don't have any ideas for new change, but we'll take a look at that," he said. "I have a lot to learn. It's a big department. I want to get out and meet everybody and see what everybody does."

Menino said he will name a fire chief to help in the day-to-day running of the department and to implement Fraser's decisions. Acting Fire Commissioner Kevin MacCurtain will initially take that role, Menino said.