Karin Halstead Became First Woman to Lead Connecticut State Firefighters Association

 — September 19 — Karin Halstead, a longtime volunteer firefighter and emergency medical services leader with Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue, was elected president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association ( CSFA), becoming the first woman to lead the organization. 

Halstead was elected Saturday during the association’s 143rd annual convention in Waterbury, where representatives from fire departments across Connecticut gathered for the organization’s annual meeting. She previously served as CSFA first vice president before moving into the top leadership position. 

Halstead became a member of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue in 1997 and served with the organization for nearly three decades. She held the positions of EMS captain and treasurer and continued to be involved in department operations and community programs. She was responsible for assisting in the creation of the company’s Junior Corps program, launched in spring 2007, and for coordinating the annual Fill the Fire Truck food drive, held before Thanksgiving to support FAITH Food Pantry. 

At the state level, Halstead played a key role in leading the CSFA Hall of Fame Committee, which honors first responders for their service and leadership. She also held a position on the association’s Memorial Committee. In addition to taking on her new position with CSFA, she also served as president of the Fairfield County Fire Chiefs Emergency Plan.