Family Friends Turn Out To Mourn MA Fire Chief Scott Jepson

SOMERSET, MA — St. Thomas More Church was filled with firefighters, town employees, family, friends and those people from the community who Scott Jepson made an impact on at the funeral mass for the late fire chief.

The eulogy was given by retired Fire Chief Stephen Rivard who hired Jepson.

Rivard said that when Jepson applied for a job at the Somerset Fire Department in 1992, he came highly recommended by Fairhaven Fire Chief Donald Bernard and Donald Linhares, a long time Jepson family friend who was a state inspector. Rivard said those were two individuals who he respected very much, so he thought it would be a good idea to give Jepson an interview.

Rivard said that during the interview process, Jepson answered all the standard interview questions as he would expect, but one of his statements that he made that day always stayed with him. He said Jepson said "I want to make a difference."

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In addition to his firefighter/paramedic qualifications, Rivard said Jepson was also a registered pharmacist. At that time, he said the Somerset Fire Department was in the process of writing policies and procedures on the handling and storage of drugs, so the department could get its license and begin an advanced life support program. Rivard said Jepson's assistance during that time was invaluable.

"As time went by, it became apparent that Scott was a special man who had an impact on everyone he met," Rivard said. "He loved the camaraderie of the firehouse, both on and off the fireground. I had the opportunity to watch him develop personal qualities, as an effective communicator, problem solver and leader."

Rivard said he promoted Jepson to lieutenant in 2004. He said Jepson continued to hone his skills, building trust, cooperation and resiliency in a physically and mentally demanding career that requires seamless teamwork.

Rivard said life as it appeared wasn't always that easy for Jepson. Shortly after being promoted to lieutenant, he said Jepson contracted a virus that caused him to permanently lose his hearing. Rivard said that during Jepson's tenure as fire chief, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

"It was during these moments of adversity in Scott's life that I witnessed him move forward feverishly and with great courage to fight back and successfully overcome these obstacles," Rivard said.

In 2008, Rivard said he enthusiastically recommended Jepson for the position of Somerset fire chief.

"As a fire chief, he led by example," Rivard said. "He shared his vision for the department. He encouraged team work. He was humble. He was approachable. He was patient. He put the safety of those under his command first and foremost and was always willing to work right alongside of the firefighters he commanded."

Rivard said Jepson also knew it was his responsibility to get involved in the community to give back and he did. He said that on any given day, Jepson could be found with the senior citizens or veterans' groups answering questions they might have or serving up a meal to them. He said Jepson was also active with many other civic organizations in town and particularly enjoyed the town's celebrations.

"He became and will always be part of the bedrock of the Town of Somerset," Rivard said.

Rivard said structure fires and accidents was when Chief Rivard was at his finest. He said Jepson loved responding to all types of emergency calls, whether they be fires, car accidents, medical emergencies or hazmat incidents.

"Every time he got a new fire chief's car, he would bring it by the house and couldn't wait to show me all the lights and gadgets he had installed," Rivard said. "And of course, if there was a mutual aid call to Fall River or Swansea, he was the first to respond."

Rivard said Jepson was an old school type of fire chief who had a thirst for the history and traditions of the fire service and preserving them. Rivard said many of those traditions were reenacted for part of Jepson's funeral services. He said Jepson was always anxious to pass those traditions on to the next generation of firefighters.

Chief Jepson said Jepson's love of the fire service was only second to his love for his family. He said Jepson cherished the many family vacations to Disney World, enjoyed boating and fishing and in recent years, had developed a love of camping where he spent lots of time enjoying family and friends.

"Over the past week, the members of the Somerset Fire Department and the Bristol County Fire Chiefs have rallied around the Jepson family, offering support, encouragement and assistance in any way that it has been needed," Rivard said.

Rivard said there will always be love and support for Jepson's wife Angie and their son Ian at the Fire Department. He said he thinks Ian was about one week old when Jepson brought him to the fire house for the first time where he couldn't wait to show him off to everyone. Since that time, he said Ian spent a lot of time with his father at the fire house. He said his father was very proud of him.

"And the Somerset firefighters want you to know that you will always be part of their family and that the door is always open for you," Rivard said to Ian.

Rivard said he is proud of Deputy Fire Chief Jamison Barros and the men and women of Somerset Fire Department Local 2649 and thanked them for the work they have done during a difficult time. He said he knew that the past week before the funeral was very difficult for them and that the weeks and months to come are not going to be much easier.

"Take this opportunity to build on the solid foundation of Chief Jepson's legacy and carry on as you know he would have wanted you to," Rivard said.

Rivard said the Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association is a band of brothers like no other and Jepson loved them all. He said he will miss his conversations with Jepson, his famous hugs, his infectious smile and the times they spent together.

"I will always remember your first interview when you said 'I want to make a difference' because when the last chapter in the book of your life is written, I am sure there will be a sentence in there that says 'Somerset Fire Chief Scott H. Jepson made a huge difference,'" Rivard said.

Before the funeral, a long line of fire department and police vehicles, not only from Somerset, but from many area towns, escorted the hearse with Chief Jepson's casket as it was driven from the Hathaway Funeral Home to St. Thomas More Church where a large contingent of firefighters and police officers holding flags awaited. Students and teachers from Somerset Berkley Regional High School, where Ian is a student, also came out to watch.

At last week's Somerset Berkley Regional Regional School Committee meeting, student representative Janey Silvia said they will hold a fundraiser at the school to make a donation to the Chief Scott Jepson Memorial Fund that will be used to help take care of Ian, as well as make donations to firefighter charities. Donations can be made to the fund at the Somerset Federal Credit Union.

As Chief Jepon's casket was transported to Nathan Slade Cemetery, firefighters from area departments stood in front of the Somerset fire station and saluted.

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