Michael S. Lombardo, lauded by some city leaders as one of Buffalo’s best department heads, has been forced by Mayor Byron W. Brown to resign as fire commissioner.

Lombardo said Tuesday he has accepted an appointment as battalion chief as the mayor plans to take the department in a “different direction.”

On the same day Lombardo’s resignation was announced, Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson collapsed during a news conference in Cheektowaga Town Hall.

Gipson, 61, was taken by ambulance to Millard Fillmore Hospital, where he was listed in stable but guarded condition and was expected to remain “for at least another day or two,” police spokesman Michael J. DeGeorge said.

“He is expected to make a full recovery,” Brown told reporters, adding that Gipson did not suffer a heart attack or a stroke.

Brown declined to address speculation that has been circulating for months that Gipson might be replaced after the mayor starts his second term Friday.

“The timing is not right now to answer that question,” Brown responded. “We will be announcing a series of new appointments that will come at a later date.”

The mayor also declined to answer questions about why he has decided to replace Lombardo or who will serve as interim fire commissioner. Brown would only say that Deputy Fire Commissioners Patrick T. Lewis and Garnell W. Whitfield Jr. are experienced and “very able.”

“So the department is in good hands,” Brown said.

The Buffalo News asked Lombardo what factors led to his resignation from a job that pays more than $108,000.

“I think the mayor would like to go in a different direction. I understand that,” Lombardo replied. “I’m not going to be the commissioner anymore, and that’s certainly his decision. We’re very proud of what we’ve done in the Buffalo Fire Department in the last four years.”

Lombardo had been serving as commissioner on leave from his civil service title as captain and took an exam for battalion chief. The job pays $71,524 — $36,500 less than the job he is leaving. However, unlike a commissioner, a battalion chief receives overtime.

In the past, Lombardo has publicly locked horns with the mayor’s finance chief over sky-high overtime in the Fire Department. In one public spat that occurred in a CitiStat meeting in September 2008, Lombardo said he was tired of being told to do more with less when some departments were not held to the same standards.

“[Lombardo] wasn’t a yes man. He was someone who spoke his mind,” said Common Council Member Michael P. Kearns of the South District. “I think it’s just continuing the pattern where good people end up leaving the [Brown] administration.”

“He was one of the best commissioners we had,” said Delaware Council Member Michael J. LoCurto. “He was accessible, open and honest.”

What “different direction” does Brown intend to take in the Fire Department? He declined to say during a news conference in which he announced the appointments of battalion chiefs, a captain and lieutenants.

“Today is about the promotions of these individuals. We will talk about the direction we’re going to take the department on another day,” Brown said.

The Council must confirm all commissioners, including a new fire commissioner. Majority Leader Richard A. Fontana of the Lovejoy District did not hide his disappointment over Lombardo’s ouster.

“I’m going to see if the sequel is better than the original,” said Fontana.

The fire appointments made Tuesday include the promotion of Elizabeth V. Kraebel, who becomes only the second woman in the city’s history to be named battalion chief. Other appointments included Daniel O’Leary, who was named captain. The following firefighters have become lieutenants: Richard M. Panowicz, Kevin T. Harris, Christopher M. Lasky, Robert B. Bremer, Marc A. Suggs and Gerald F. Nostrant.

Earlier in the day, Gipson was participating in a news event in Cheektowaga when he fell to the floor. He remained there for less than a minute before being taken to a side room.

“He just got lightheaded. That’s all we know at this point,” said Cheektowaga Police Chief Christine M. Ziemba.

Gipson is diabetic, but it’s not known if that was a factor in his collapse. Cheektowaga police Capt. John A. Glascott told reporters that Gipson was “alert and responsive” when he left for the hospital.

The police commissioner attended the news event to discuss a new law setting penalties for driving while intoxicated when there are children in the vehicle.

In August of 2006, Gipson announced that he was being treated for prostate cancer. He said he began experiencing health problems earlier that year.

For months, there has been speculation that Gipson might not remain as police commissioner in Brown’s second term. Deputy Commissioner Daniel Derenda’s name has repeatedly surfaced among police and city sources as a possible successor to Gipson if the mayor decides to make a change. Chief of Investigations Dennis J. Richards has also been mentioned as a possible replacement.

News Staff Reporter Michelle Kearns contributed to this report. e-mail: bmeyer@buffnews.com