“For over 10 years my father’s helmet has never left Engine 4. However, in those 10 years the world sure has changed and you can’t trust anyone anymore. Because of the recent theft of a brother firefighter’s helmet from our firehouse, I feel that in order to keep my father’s helmet out of someone else’s hands, it is time to take it home.
It is sad it needs to come to this as Engine 4 was my father’s pride and joy. His helmet gives us a sense of him still riding with us. Perhaps, instead, this will make a great center piece in a man cave once we find the perfect house.” -Lt. Nick Hilton
Lt. Nick Hilton is a 12 year veteran firefighter and officer. His father died in May 2003 while still a member of the department. His father Dave was a veteran firefighter, officer, chauffeur, and department historian. Engine 4 was “Dave’s truck” it seldom rolled from the station without him behind the wheel. He was very proud of the rig, a 2001 Pierce Enforcer pumper. Dave was so dependable that when he passed on there was only several firefighters who were qualified to drive the rig. There was some hurrying about trying to get other drivers finished up on their mileage and evolutions to fill the gap left by his untimely departure. Since that
time Dave’s treasured N5A “New Yorker” has ridden the rig with us on every run. Firefighters in York Village are issued helmets but most guys go out and purchase their own N5A “New Yorker” at considerable out of pocket cost. There is no substitute for the traditional leather firemen’s helmet. Sadly enough the helmet is being relegated to Lt. Hilton’s home where the helmet is secure. The firehouse was violated recently by a helmet stolen off the wall in the apparatus floor. Members were recently urged by Chief Balentine to remove personal property, especially leather helmets and personally owned portable radios, despite security measures being beefed up and enforced.
Dave’s helmet is being removed from Engine 4 after 12 years amid security concerns inside the firehouse after a leather helmet was recently stolen from a members gear hook
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