WATERBURY — Veteran Sandy Hook firefighter Karin Halstead has been named the president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, becoming the first woman to lead the organization.

Halstead, who previously served as first vice president, was elected to the position on Saturday after representatives from dozens of fire departments gathered for the nonprofit's annual convention in Waterbury.

A Sandy Hook native, Halstead has spent nearly 29 years with Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue. She joined the agency in 1997, following the career path of her firefighter father, William Halstead.

William Halstead, a beloved figure in Newtown, was the longtime chief of the SHVFR until he died in the line of duty in 2022. He previously served as CSFA president after being elected in 2020.

As a captain at SHVFR, the younger Halstead currently oversees the Junior Corps, a program designed to give teenagers in Newtown an opportunity to gain experience as a firefighter before joining the company.

As a member of CSFA, Halstead has also helped lead the group’s Hall of Fame Memorial Committee, which honors first responders for their career contributions, leadership and acts of bravery.

The association, which is made up of about 22,000 volunteer and 4,400 career firefighters, was created to advocate for the fire service. The organization also provides disability benefits and training for members.

In addition to serving as the nonprofit’s first female president, Halstead is also just the second woman in the United States to be elected to lead a state firefighters association, according to the CSFA.

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