James R. “J.R.” Hayden
Wagon Master Emeritus
Engine Company 16

The second legend in as many weeks has hung up his helmet and walked out the bi-fold doors of Engine Company 16 for the last time, serving his last shift on June 20th.  Just two weeks ago it was Lieutenant Jeff Wright (a former Wagon Master as well).  This week, it was the affable and sharp tongued Wagon Master of #1 Platoon.

James R. Hayden, known affectionately to some as “Otis” (he can explain where that name came from) began his career at Truck Company 1 on New Jersey Avenue at the Quarters of Engine 3. 

Following his probation, J.R. opted to move to the Battalion Headquarters and join up with the Midnight Express in 1978.  He loved the action and even more so, loved the view from the bench in front of 1018 13th Street, NW.  On March 1, 1987, J.R. put on his driving gloves for good and became the Wagon Master of #1 Platoon at the Midnight Express.

J.R.’s mechanical skills made him a natural for the Wagon Master position, as he could fix almost anything on the Ford Bruco or the Hahn, which kept them from going to the Shop!  However, his mason skills also made for a love affair with the sofa in the Sitting Room.  Otis worked so hard on his day’s off, that some days he would simply get in the door and collapse, only getting up to run 25 to 30 responses for the day!

J.R. has helped many a rookie that has come through the doors of his “Big House”.  You see, if J.R. thought you were worth a lick, he would spend all of his time and talent turning you into a great young firefighter.  There are many great firefighters on this job, who have J.R. to thank for their initial Probation training.

J.R. was a crucial member, representing Local 36 on the Apparatus Committee.  He, along with fellow members of the Committee, brought our department from the bowls of despair to maintaining a world class fleet of apparatus that rivals any jurisdiction in the country!

Indy 500 Legend Jackie Stewart’s famous quote is quite appropriate in this case.  He said, “From today I am no longer a racing driver, I’m retired and I am very happy!”  Firefighter Hayden has joined the ranks of Jack Gerhart, Costello Robinson, The Gibson (Dirt) Brothers and many many others!  He has established a record at Engine Company 16, with twenty-one years as a Wagon Master.  This will prove to be a record that will not soon be in jeopardy.

We wish him well in retirement and hope that he and wife Debby have many great years ahead together!

With roots tracing back 36 Years to the Hillandale Volunteer Fire Department, alongside the Tate Brothers of DCFD fame, Lieutenant Jeff Wright, finally served his last shift at 1018 13th Street, NW.  He quietly walked out of Engine 16/Truck 3/Battalion 6 Quarters on June 15th at 0700 hours having responded to over 30,000 responses in a career that many would attempt, but few would make to completion.

Jeff walked into old Engine 2 at 719 12th Street N.W. in 1978 as a Probationer and spent a brief two year stint there, moving to the new quarters at 500 F Street, NW, before transfering to Engine 16 in 1981.  A quick study, he became a favorite pick to serve as the Fill-in Battalion Aide on his Platoon in the 6th Battalion Office.  He would become a Wagon Master in 1987 and then piloted the Midnight Express until his promotion to Sergeant in 1995. 

Jeff ultimately returned to his beloved "Big House" on 13th Street and served his final ten years as Lieutenant on the Tower Ladder from 1998 to this month. 

Jeff has long maintained that he could not hold a candle to the "legends" of the house he loved:  Fred Wood, J.R.Hayden, Arthur Tudge, Donnie Capps, John Doyle, J.J. Jones, among countless others.  We are now honored to count Lt. Wright amongst the legends to have passed through the doors of 1018 13th Street.  May he have a long and well-deserved retirement.

MEMBERS OF ENGINE 16 AND TOWER 3 CELEBRATED THE PROMOTION OF LT.RICHARD ZEGOWITZ TO CAPTAIN OF ENGINE CO. 25 , AMONG THOSE PRESENT WAS ZIGGYS DAD WHO RETIRED FROM RESCUE SQUAD 4 , 18 YEARS AGO .ALSO AMONG THOSE PRESENT "MABEL" WEARING THE CAPTAINS HAT , ALSO WAS PROMOTED AS WELL.

Units were dispatched at 9:26 AM for the report of a building on fire in the 500 block of H Street, Northwest.  First arriving units found heavy fire in the basement in the rear of the three story rowhouse. 

A glance to the roof found a man who was trapped and could not get down.  As members of Engines 6 and 2 began fighting the fire, firefighters from Tower 3 stood a 30-foot ground ladder to the roof to rescue the man. 

Firefighter David Pylar scaled the ladder, assisted the man onto it, and helped him down to the ground to safety.  EMS evaluated the man, and he was found to be uninjured.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Platoon #4 was asked to assist with the taping of Public Service Announcements stressing the need for fire departments across the nation to use safety belts at all times when riding on appratus.

Each year many needless firefighter injuries and deaths are attributed to not wearing seatbelts. The PSA's were filmed at the quarters of Engine 16, Tower 3, Ambulance 16 and BFC6.

This program was supported by Firehouse.com, Statter911.com

Engine Company 16, Tower 3, Ambulance 16 and Battalion Chief 6 have been named Company of the Year for 2007 by Fire Chief Dennis Rubin and His Command Staff.

The Companies will receive the award at an awards ceremony slated for a later date.

Last Year these units combined, responded to 17,617 fire and ems related emergencies in the District of Columbia. That is an average of 48 calls per day.

Engine 16 was the second busiest engine company in the city, Tower 3 was the busiest truck company, Ambulance 16 was the busiest Ambulance and Battalion Chief 6 was the third busiest Chief.

Congratulations to all members of our station.