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Hose Company #1 is an affiliate of Freeport Fire Department, which is part of
the Second Battalion of Nassau County, New York.
Freeport is geographically located on the south shore of Long Island and is
approximately fifteen miles east of New York City.
On January 5, 2009 the Freeport Fire Department suffered a significant Loss. Asst Chief Richard J. Layton a dedicated 24-year veteran of the Freeport Fire Department died that morning.
Chief Layton was born on October 14, 1966. He became a junior firefighter at the age of 14 joining the Freeport Fire Department Explorer Post in 1980.
He served with the Explorer Post until achieving his dream joining Ever Ready Hose Co. No. 1 - Freeport Fire Department on December 11, 1984.
As a new member of the Department Chief Layton hit the ground running. He immediately began serving as Chairman or Co Chairman on many Company Committees. He also served as Recording Secretary and Financial Secretary of Hose 1.
He was also a member of the Nighthawks Drill Team. He quickly rose through the ranks and was elected 2nd Lieutenant 1988-89, 1st Lieutenant 1989-90, and served as Captain of Ever Ready Hose Co. No. 1 from 1990-1991.
Chief Layton’s dedication and commitment to his company found him serving as an Officer again for a total of 3 full terms. He served as 2nd Lieutenant 1994 – 95 and 2003 –04, 1st Lieutenant 1995 – 96 and 2004 – 05, and Captain 1996-1997 and 2005-06.
Chief Layton was very involved with the training division of the Freeport Fire Department serving as a Company Instructor and then as Asst Chief Instructor 2005 - 06.
He was always looking to learn something new and every time he did he past it on to his fellow firefighters.
One of his many areas of specialized training was as a Rescue Diver. Chief Layton was an active member of the Departments Underwater Search and Rescue Squad since 1995. A decorated Firefighter he received 3 Unit Citations, Dive Unit Citation, Pre Hospital Save and a Nassau County Award.
In April of 2006 Chief Layton climbed another step on his fire department career ladder and was elected 3rd Assistant Chief of the Freeport Fire Department. His reputation before becoming Chief maintained true to form, as he was one of the most active members of the Freeport Fire Department.
He served as 2nd Assistant Chief 2007 – 08 and was serving as 1st Assistant Chief at the time of his death. After his untimely death members were reminiscing about how it will be real tough for us not to hear him, as he was always one of the first Chief’s to sign on the radio when an alarm was transmitted.
Chief Layton had scheduled a routine hip procedure for January 5, 2009. In the early morning hours of January 5, the Freeport Fire Department was summoned for a FAST team to the Baldwin Fire Department.
Shortly after our arrival, Truck 1 was put to work. Chief Layton’s company Ever Ready Hose Co. 1 also responded to standby at Baldwin’s Headquarters.
Not really to anyone’s surprise, when we started to walk around the fire scene there was Chief Layton in full bunker gear.
Upon completion of operations in Baldwin we returned to Freeport and shortly thereafter had a second run for a report of smoke in the house on Lexington Avenue.
The Department responded, as did Chief Layton. After that run Chief Layton stopped at Truck Co. No. 1’s quarters and mentioned he was going to head home, as he had his scheduled procedure that morning.
It is our understanding that during the preparations for his operation he went into cardiac arrest and the doctors were unable to bring him back.
When the phone started ringing there was a dark cloud of disbelief that was hanging over the Freeport Fire Department. We responded to the hospital and still didn’t believe that this was happening.
When reality set in and we knew we had to do everything we could for his beautiful wife Jaime. His wife showed as much love for the Freeport Fire Department as her husband did.
It was a rare time that you saw Chief Layton pull up to an alarm without Jaime by his side, taking care of the paper work and monitoring the computer.
He had plans and dreams that were going to start coming true in just a few months when he would take over the reigns of Chief of Department.
Chief Layton dedicated his life to the residents of the Inc. Village of Freeport for over 24 years. He was a tenacious fire officer who was always there when the smoke cleared.
His death has created a significant void in our Department. As mentioned before, Chief Layton had a reputation of being extremely active responding to every alarm and dedicating his life to the Fire Service.
His legacy will carry on to those who will serve after him. Chief Layton inspired us for the short time we had him and he will continue to inspire us for the rest of our lives.
The out pouring support from fire departments from all over Nassau and Suffolk was over whelming.
We were also taken back from support from departments across the country. One Department in particular is the Mahopac Fire Department.
Our Department has enjoyed a very close relationship with their Department. Mahopac was like a second home for Chief Layton and the Members of Hose Co. No. 1.
Members of Mahopac Fire Dept. arrived at Hose 1 a few short hours after getting the news.
The Firematic Service was held on Thursday January 8, 2009 at Our Holy Redeemer Church. Looking out from the top of the church steps all you saw was a sea of blue from as far up down and around the corner of S. Ocean Avenue and Pine Street.
Firefighters from all over came to pay their respects to Assistant Chief Richard J. Layton. On Friday after his funeral service a procession of Fire Apparatus and Firefighters headed into Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn to pay our last respects to our Chief, Asst Chief Richard Layton.
EverReady Hose Company #1
Home of the Nighthawks Drill Team
22 Southside Avenue
Freeport, NY 11520
Phone: (516) 378-9467
Fax: (516) 377-2782
click here to e-Mail Hose Company #1