Gov. Ned Lamont is calling for flags across the state to be flown at half-staff this week after the unexpected death of a Newtown fire chief.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company say it will be hard to fill Bill Halstead's boots.

"His line officers are going to have to take a little piece of everything that he did. It's going to take six of us. Or more,” said Deputy Chief Anthony Capozziello.

Capozziello says Halstead was one of the department's top responders - even at age 73.

"Passion? Well, if there was a perfect attendance for fire calls, he would be probably 95 to 100%,” said Capozziello.

Halstead's daughter Karin Halstead says her father came from a firefighting family and first joined up at Sandy Hook at 16 years old.

"That's all he knew, it's in his blood, which he carried on to me…which is why I joined,” said Karin Halstead.

Karin Halstead is now Sandy Hook's EMS Captain. She says she's grateful for the extra hours she got with her dad.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal says Halstead also served as Newtown's Director of Emergency Management and - until 2016 - its Fire Marshall.

Firefighters say they're losing more than just a chief, they’re losing a father figure.