Assistant Chief John Halstead began his career with the West Vancouver Fire Department as a Volunteer in 1957 and accepted as a professional firefighter on November 25, 1959. He was promoted to Lieutenant on March 1, 1971 and to Captain in January, 1973. His last promotion was as District Chief on January 1, 1982. He retired in April, 1990. John  died of heart failure on December 21, 2016.