Community Corner
25 Years Later: PWFD Remembers Fallen Hero
Port Washington firefighters ask community to remember Capt. "Bobby" Dayton who died Nov. 26, 1988, while battling a blaze.
The Port Washington Fire Department is asking residents to pause for a moment Tuesday to remember fallen firefighter Robert H. Dayton who lost his life while battling a blaze 25 years ago.
On Nov. 26, 1988, Dayton, a 28-year-old lieutenant with Flower Hill Hose Co. #1, became trapped and ran out of air due to the intense heat while battling the blaze that injured 26, according to the PWFD website. Repeated efforts to rescue Dayton were unsuccessful and he was later pronounced dead at St. Francis Hospital.
Dayton was posthumously promoted to Captain of Flower Hill Hose Company #1.
In 2010, Haven Avenue was renamed by in Dayton's honor. Robert H. Dayton Way is located between Main Street and Franklin Avenue in Port Washington, where Flower Hill Hose Company No. 1 is headquartered.
Known as "Bobby," Dayton attended Paul B. Schreiber High School and joined the Port Washington department and Flower Hill Hose Company as a volunteer at age 18. He also served as part of Elmhurst, Queens' Engine Company 287 as one of the "Grand Avenue Gorillas."
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