Retiring Marshfield Fire & Rescue Chief Scott Owen Gets Special Sendoff

MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – Marshfield Fire & Rescue Chief Scott Owen’s last day at the department was Friday, December 17. Keeping with tradition, Chief Owen received a special sendoff – a ride home in Engine 3 with convoy. This came after a special last page from Wood County Dispatch, thanking Owen for his years and service and wishing him the best in retirement.

“I am very proud to have served the City and the citizens over the last 25+ years,” Owen said. “I have the highest admiration and respect for each member in this department. We chose to go into the professions to help people. We run in and deal with situations when people are at their worst. It takes a special kind of person to do that and not everyone is cut out for it.”

Earlier this year, Owen celebrated his official anniversary of 25 years with the City of Marshfield. In total, he has three decades of experience in the service.

Thank you, Chief Owen! (Read the full interview here.) Owen’s official last day with the City of Marshfield will be January 4, 2022. Interim Chief Pete Fletty is overseeing the department until Marshfield’s Police & Fire Commission determines next steps for the position.

An Open Letter from Scott Owen:

To the citizens of Marshfield,

As I get ready to head out the door of the fire station for the last time I want to take a minute to thank the citizens for all of their support for the fire department over the last 25 years. Community support is so very important to all of us here at the Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department. As a city we have seen many struggles and have overcome them. As the fire chief, I can honestly say I had a great career with the city and am very proud to have been able to serve the citizens to the best of my ability.

It has been an honor to serve all of you, the citizens of Marshfield, over the past 25 years as a firefighter, deputy chief, and finally as the fire chief. It is with my sincere appreciation to all of you that I had this opportunity to do a job that I loved and was committed to every day.

You can all be proud of the top-notch fire and emergency medical services (EMS) department you have. The members are very dedicated to the profession and to serving. Every member of the fire department provides the best level of service they are able to do so, whether it is during a public education event or and emergency call. Your paramedics have received the highest level of pre-hospital training possible and are endorsed by the state of Wisconsin as critical care paramedics. Please rest assured, if you ever need to use any of the services of the department, you will receive the best treatment possible.

I have said this a few times now but it definitely bears repeating. It is the boots on the ground members of the department, the firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics that make the difference every day in the lives of the citizens and visitors we serve. It is not the administration staff; we simply fight to provide the tools and equipment needed for them to do their job and to be great at it.

In my role as chief I have always tried to do my best to support and defend the members of the fire department. I helped push our members to be the best they can be to serve and protect our city. I certainly hope everyone saw that.

I leave the department knowing it is in good hands. Deputy Chief Pete Fletty, who was named the Interim fire chief, will continue to move the department forward along with every member. Collectively, they will continue to make this one of the best organizations in the state. Lori, our administrative associate has been a rock for me; she knows when my days were not going so well and was always able to turn me around and put a smile on my face. The hardest part about leaving is not necessarily the job but not seeing everyone every day. They truly are my second family.

I truly cannot believe here I am 25 years later saying “see you later.” Again, my sincere thank you to all of the citizens for allowing me the opportunity to serve you for the past 25 wonderful years with the city.

Scott Owen

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