The city’s fire chief will have the final determination on whether the department’s new state-ordered 56-hour workweek compromises public safety, according to a ruling by Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez. According to the Thursday ruling, the state’s creation of the new work schedule was not done in retaliation against the union. Mendez said Fire Chief Scott Evans can revert to the 24/48 schedule if he feels it would increase public safety. In June, the state informed the city’s Fire Department it would be starting a new 56-hour workweek. State officials said the move would cut costs.