Halstead Reappointed As Newtown’s Fire Marshal

By Andrew Gorosko

The Board of Fire Commissioners has reappointed Fire Marshal Bill Halstead to a one-year term as the town’s fire marshal.

Mr Halstead took over as fire marshal from George Lockwood last January. Before becoming the fire marshal, Mr Halstead had been a deputy fire marshal since 1984.

Mr Halstead retired as the Fairfield Hills fire chief in June 1997, where he had served as chief for 17 years, overseeing fire protection at the sprawling state psychiatric hospital. The hospital closed in December 1995.

Mr Halstead serves as chief of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, having headed that organization since August 1978.

The town fire marshal’s office is continuing its annual inspection program of approximately 600 locations in town. These include schools, day care centers, churches, restaurants, stores, structures with three or more apartments, and various places of assembly.

As fire marshal, Mr Halstead is responsible for overseeing fire investigations in the town’s five fire districts – Sandy Hook, Newtown Hook and Ladder, Botsford, Hawleyville, and Dodgingtown.

Besides fire investigations, fire marshals and their deputies issue blasting permits, inspect service stations, inspect fuel tanker trucks, and supervise the removal of underground fuel storage tanks, among other tasks.

A member of several fire organizations, Mr Halstead belongs to the International Association of Arson Investigators.

Commission members appointed Mr Halstead to his new one-year term at the commission’s annual dinner held October 22 at Mr Place Restaurant.

Also, reappointed to one-year terms were deputy fire marshals: Mr Lockwood, Dave Ober, Richard Frampton and Henry Stormer. Commission members also named Julio Fernandez to a new one-year term as a deputy fire marshal.

The commission appointed Fire Inspector Scott Lee to another one-year term.

The panel also reappointed David Hardt to another one-year term as a special deputy fire marshal for Garner Correctional Institution, the state’s high security prison on Nunnawauk Road.

Reappointed to three-year terms on the Board of Fire Commissioners were Chairman Kevin Cragin and Vice Chairman B.J. Halstead. Mr Cragin is a civilian representative on the board. B.J. Halstead represents Sandy Hook firefighters.

Jeffrey Nezvesky, who represents Botsford firemen, also is beginning a new three-year term.

Other commission members representing local fire companies are: Rod Mauro of Newtown Hook and Ladder, Michael Wlasuk of Dodgingtown and Michael Zilinek of Hawleyville. Lisa Goosman is a civilian member of the board.