On the day he turned age 16, nearly 52 years ago, Bill Halstead immediately joined the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company and has been immersed in the world of firefighting ever since, First Selectman Pat Llodra noted this week, reflecting on Mr Halstead's retirement as the town's fire marshal.

Mr Halstead joined the town fire marshal's office as a deputy marshal in 1984, and became the fire marshal in January 2001 on the retirement of George Lockwood, Sr.

Although his last day as fire marshal will be November 14, Mr Halstead, a lifelong resident, will remain in town service as its emergency management director. He also will remain in office as Sandy Hook's fire chief, a post he has held since 1978.

When Fairfield Hills was in operation as a state psychiatric hospital, Mr Halstead also served as the hospital's fire chief.

"Bill's a natural leader... His knowledge of the fire service is deep and powerful," Mrs Llodra said. His love of the community has kept the public safe for many years, she said. To hold multiple emergency services positions for many years attests to his depth of knowledge and experience, Mrs Llodra said. Through Mr Halstead's service as fire marshal, the town has benefited in many ways, the first selectman added.

The fire marshal's office is comprises the fire marshal, a deputy fire marshal, and two part-time deputy fire marshals, plus an administrative assistant. The fire marshal's work includes two main components - fire safety, through enforcement/education about the state's fire safety code, and of investigations into the causes of fires. When there is a criminal aspect to a fire, a town police detective, who is a deputy fire marshal, and/or the state fire marshal's office is called in for assistance.

Mr Halstead said his favorite aspect of being the fire marshal has been conducting investigations into the cause and point of origin of fires.

He said that another key aspect of the job involves plan reviews, in which the design plans for new construction are reviewed to ensure that they meet fire code requirements. Deputy Fire Marshal Rich Frampton has done much work reviewing such plans for fire code compliance, Mr Halstead said. Structures that are subject to such reviews include residential buildings that house three of more families, as well as schools and commercial buildings.

"Every bit of our job is important," Mr Halstead said, adding that a school's design, for instance, has "thousands" of details that need to be checked for fire code compliance. Lengthy fire code review was required for plans on the new Sandy Hook School, located near Sandy Hook's main firehouse. Mr Halstead said that local fire officials will be busy as they adapt to a revised fire code that is being implemented by the state.

The person who replaces Mr Halstead will be selected by the Board of Fire Commissioners, a seven-member panel that oversees the use of town-owned fire equipment by the five volunteer fire companies. The board is comprises one member from each fire company, as well as two civilians.

After Mr Halstead departs as fire marshal, Mr Frampton will serve as acting fire marshal.

Mr Halstead said that after retiring he will miss his daily interaction with the many town employees at Newtown Municipal Center. He said he expects to seek part-time employment in some work that he enjoys.

Among his hobbies are following NASCAR stock car racing, either in person at the track, or on television. A fan of the New York Mets baseball team since it was formed in 1962, Mr Halstead also is an avid golfer.

Mrs Llodra issued a town proclamation on November 5 honoring Mr Halstead for his many years of town service and listing the many advancements he has overseen during his tenure. About 150 people attended a retirement party in Mr Halstead's honor at Rock Ridge Country Club on November 5.