Bobby Halton, the editor-in-chief of Fire Engineering magazine and the education director of the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 19, 2022. He was 67 years old. His death shocked and saddened the fire service community, who remembered him as a passionate advocate, a visionary leader, and a loyal friend.
A Life of Service
Bobby Halton was born in New York City in 1955. He joined the Albuquerque (NM) Fire Department in 1977 and rose through the ranks to become the chief of training. He retired from Albuquerque in 2004 and became the chief of the Coppell (TX) Fire Department. He left Coppell in 2005 to assume the duties as editor-in-chief of Fire Engineering magazine, a position he held for 18 years.
As the editor-in-chief of Fire Engineering, Halton was responsible for overseeing the editorial content and direction of the oldest and most respected fire service publication in the world. He also served as the education director of FDIC, the largest fire service educational conference in the world, where he delivered inspiring and provocative keynote speeches that challenged and motivated firefighters to excel in their profession.
Halton was a graduate of the University of New Mexico and a member of several professional associations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Fire Protection Association. He served on several NFPA technical committees and was active with the National Fallen Firefighters Life Safety Initiatives and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
Halton was also a prolific author, speaker, and instructor who shared his extensive knowledge and experience with firefighters around the country and internationally. He wrote numerous articles and books on fire service topics, such as leadership, safety, tactics, culture, history, and ethics. He taught courses on fire behavior, ventilation, strategy, command, and more. He was known for his candid and outspoken style, his deep respect for fire service traditions, and his unwavering commitment to firefighter safety and wellness.
A Legacy of Impact
Bobby Halton’s death left a huge void in the fire service community, who expressed their grief and condolences on social media and other platforms. Many firefighters shared their personal stories of how Halton influenced their careers and lives, how he mentored them, encouraged them, challenged them, and supported them. Many also thanked him for his service and his contributions to the fire service.
Halton’s impact was not only felt by individual firefighters, but also by fire service organizations and institutions. He helped shape the fire service education and training landscape through his involvement with Fire Engineering and FDIC. He also advocated for fire service issues and causes, such as firefighter mental health, cancer prevention, line-of-duty death reduction, and more. He was a voice for the fire service that was respected and admired by many.
Halton’s legacy will live on through his family, his friends, his colleagues, and his students. He will also live on through his writings, his teachings, his speeches, and his actions. He will be remembered as a fire service legend who dedicated his life to God, family, and the fire service.
The Cause of Death
The cause of Bobby Halton’s death has not been officially confirmed yet. According to some sources, he died at his home in Oklahoma due to natural causes. However, some speculate that his death may be related to his previous battle with cancer. Halton was diagnosed with stage IV throat cancer in 2018 and underwent treatment that included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation He announced that he was cancer-free in 2019, but he continued to face some health challenges due to the side effects of the treatment.
Regardless of the exact cause of death, Bobby Halton’s passing is a tragic loss for the fire service community. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, mentor, leader, and hero. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and learned from him.
How to Honor Bobby Halton
Bobby Halton’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations be made to one of the following organizations that were close to his heart:
- The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), which honors America’s fallen firefighters and provides resources to assist their families.
- The Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), which provides assistance and guidance to firefighters diagnosed with cancer.
- The Tunnel to Towers Foundation ([T2T]), which supports first responders and military personnel who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.
Additionally, firefighters can honor Bobby Halton by following his example of excellence, integrity, courage, compassion, and service. They can also continue to learn from his teachings, to uphold his values, and to carry on his mission. As Halton himself said in one of his FDIC keynote speeches:
“Be proud of who you are, be proud of what you do, and never forget why you do it.”
