FDIC Education Director Chief David Rhodes, along with Eileen Brennan Cress, Tom Brennan’s daughter, presented the 2023 Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award to Chief (Ret.) Bobby Halton posthumously at the FDIC International 2023 Opening Ceremony Day 2.
Rhodes: “Bobby Halton served as editor in chief and education director for 18 years. He had a passion for the fire service and firefighters that was developed over a lifetime of involvement and dedication. Growing up in Brooklyn, with many family members serving in public safety, he was influenced by many public servants.
“Before the fire service, he was busy being rebellious, growing long hair, and becoming a well-known 1970s skateboarder, ‘Skateboard Bobby.’ He claimed to hold the record for the longest handstand ride and the longboard speed record which he set on a long treacherous mountain road.
“During these early years, he worked as a driver with his wife Marcia for the Grateful Dead. After a very colorful teenage and early adult life, he eventually settled down and landed a job with Albuquerque (NM) EMS, where he became a paramedic before moving on to a full-time career with the Albuquerque (NM) Fire Department. Moving through the ranks in Albuquerque, he developed a passion for teaching.
“He became friends with Chief Alan Brunacini, who also had a strong influence in his fire service involvement on a national level. His work on incident size-up, command simulations, and decision making became a very sought-out course for departments across the county. He was promoted through the ranks and became deputy chief of the Albuquerque Fire Department.
“He never gave up his rebellious spirit or sense of adventure. He was offered and accepted the job of chief in Coppell, TX, where he served for a short time before being asked to be the editor in chief of Fire Engineering. In his 18-year run as editor, he was given a platform to serve out his final years as an advocate and voice for the fire service.
“He worked relentlessly to ensure those with the same passion and skill were given an opportunity to contribute through training classes at FDIC and in the pages of the magazine and on the Web sites. He was always advocating for the fire service as a whole but constantly reminding us of the importance of the everyday common firefighter whose boots were on the ground.
“Bobby carefully looked for lessons in history that had significance to modern fire service issues and blended his passion and love for America into editorials that would make you stop and think, writing columns that would motivate you or tick you off enough to go read a history book and look into the issues on your own.
“He loved saying he was unapologetic about everything while offering his opinion freely on most subjects. If someone would complain or question him about one of his editorials, he would often sarcastically reply, ‘It’s called the editor’s opinion for a reason, and I’m the one who gets to write it!’
“As with most positions of great influence, Bobby developed a large following and a few enemies but undoubtedly became the most recognized editor in the history of Fire Engineering. Using the stage at FDIC to bring his editorials to life, he brought energy and rejuvenated a nation of firefighters who were suffering from department politics, burnout, injuries, or cancer like himself. Bobby found his purpose and his calling, and he poured every ounce of energy he had into it. It was a drug unlike anything he could get from his doctors, and it gave him the drive to fight through a host of medical issues.
“Through all the ups and downs, he gave us all the greatest gift that anyone can give, and that was his time. He would talk to anyone about the fire service, be it a kid with a plastic helmet or someone retired for 30 years. He was engaging, charismatic, dramatic, attentive, and enlightening all at the same time, a lifelong student with an infectious zeal for sharing information and being your friend.
“Bobby was without question a rebellious and unapologetic fire service icon, leader, instructor, gentleman, and friend. Most of all, he inspired us all to never give up, overcome life’s obstacles, and make a difference no matter what level of the organization you serve in. “While Bobby should have received this award many years ago, he would always make sure he had a recipient chosen before we could even bring it up. We all wish that he was here to receive it; however, this year we award the Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award, posthumously, to Bobby Halton.”
