Honoring Dedicated Branford Firefighter Whose Career Spanned Decades

BRANFORD, CT — Wednesday, the Branford Fire Department gathered to honor Deputy Chief William Pepe as he retires after more than 35 years of dedicated service.

"Throughout his tenure, Deputy Chief Pepe exemplified outstanding leadership and a deep sense of duty to both the department and the community we serve," the department posted to social media. "His contributions have left an indelible mark on the department’s operations, practices, and overall success."

In the Facebook post, the department shared photos of the ceremony celebrating Pepe's career at fire headquarters.

"Deputy Chief Pepe’s journey with the Branford Fire Department began in December 1989, and over the years, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant, and then quickly to Deputy Chief of Operations, serving on Division 1," the post reads. "His leadership and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the department into what it is today."

In his April 17 letter to Fire Chief Thomas Mahoney, Pepe wrote his last shift would be June 4.

He noted that after joining the Bradford Fire Department as a volunteer at MP Rice Hose Co., then appointed a full-time firefighter and in 1989, began a career, that he wrote, "Has been nothing short of a career of a lifetime."

"It has been an honor to serve the community and being part of one of the premier fire departments in the state, and for that matter, in New England, the Branford Fire Department.

Looking back over the years, I had the pleasure of being involved in great changes from the merger of the Branford Ambulance in 1993, the development of the apparatus repair program in 1994, the implementation of the 24/72 work schedule and being appointed SOP Review Task Force of 1997 and many more since then.

Being involved with the EMS portion of the department, to see it growing from the staffing of the first full-time ambulance, then going to the staffing of two full-time staffed ambulances along with the part-time staffing of medic three and now the implementation of the EMS division within the timeframe of 32 years is a feat within itself.

This truly has been a job of a lifetime, and I could not have enjoyed it more than having it been in the community I have grown up in, and a department that both it and I have grown up with together.

The shifts I have had the honor to be on, and then command, will always be looked back upon with fondness and great memories.

I wish nothing but the best to you in this department."

"As we bid farewell to Deputy Chief Pepe, we extend our thanks for his tireless efforts, his commitment to keeping our community safe, and for always being a source of humor and inspiration to all who have had the honor to work alongside him," the department wrote on Facebook.