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August 8, 2007

Longtime Somerset fire chief announces retirement

SOMERSET -- Stephen J. Rivard, the town's fire chief for the past 19 years, announced this evening that he is retiring, probably in January.

The 52-year-old chief, a firefighter for more than 32 years, cited health reasons for his departure, but declined to be specific. He has been out on sick leave for two months, working in an advisory role with Deputy Chief Dana K. Hilliard, who has been acting chief.

He declined to speculate on a successor, saying that would be up to the Board of Selectmen.

Rivard said he has asked the selectmen for permission to continue his work as director of the town's Emergency Management Agency. ``I want to give back to the community I love so much,'' he said.

Rivard has been in the business for over 32 years. He was hired as an emergency medical technician in Fall River on St. Patrick's Day 1975.

He became a Somerset firefighter in August 1977, was promoted to lieutenant in 1986 and was named chief July 10, 1988. At 33, he was one of the youngest chiefs in the Commonwealth.

``It's been a great run for me,'' he said.

-- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr.

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 6:28 PM | Permalink

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