Sandy Hook, CT Fire Chief Dies after Call

Jul. 10—NEWTOWN — Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief William Halstead died shortly after returning home from a call Friday evening, according to the department.

Halstead has been chief since 1978 after joining the department in 1965 at the age of 16.

Halstead also was director of emergency management and fire marshal for Newtown.

This statement was posted on the department's Facebook page Saturday afternoon:

"With deepest regret, we announce the passing of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company Chief William Halstead. After responding to a call on the evening of Friday, July 8, the chief returned to his home and became ill. Despite the efforts of SHVFR personnel, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Newtown Police Department officers, the #Newtown paramedic, and the Newtown Emergency Communications team, Chief Halstead passed shortly after the incident. Bill Halstead joined SHVFR in January 1965, when he turned 16. He had served as our chief since 1978. We are grateful for his years of service to his hometown. Please grant us the space and time to grieve. We will announce further details when available."

Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said he would often have the emergency scanner on at night and Halstead was almost always the first response.

"I would hear '4-1 is on.' That was his call signal," Rosenthal said. "Most of the time, Bill took most calls and was one of the first responders on the scene, including Friday night."

Rosenthal said they do not make many men like Halstead.

"Bill is someone who is irreplaceable in town. We have a lot of great volunteers but nobody like Bill," Rosenthal said. "He was a huge figure in the department and in the town of Newtown. Bill served this community for many years. There are not many people who serve that long in a volunteer position."

Rosenthal visited the Sandy Hook firehouse Saturday morning and spoke to his fellow firefighters and friends.

"It's a huge shock and an untimely passing of a great man," Rosenthal said. "I spent time at the firehouse today and everyone is just digesting the loss of a man who meant so much to the town. I am thinking of his wife Debbie and his children and grandchildren at this time."

Halstead was named the Connecticut Firefighter of the Year in 2019, being recognized for his more than 50 years of service to the local and state community.

In 2020, he was elected president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association

The town's emergency operations center was named the William T. Halstead Sr. building in his honor in 2011, according to the town's website.

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