Town's new Fire Chief brings big changes

The La Conner Volunteer Fire Department has a new chief, and a new way forward.

Chief Josh Morrison, 35, accepted his new position last Wednesday after he was voted in unanimously by his fellow volunteer firefighters.

He immediately put into motion plans to equip the town’s firefighters with uniforms, establishing a “sleeper” program, with volunteers manning the station round the clock and attracting new recruits.

Morrison brings years of firefighting and leadership experience to his new post. He began his fire fighting career at the age of 18 with Fire District 3, the Conway-Cedardale depart-ment.

Years later, when he bought a house in Burlington, Morrison left District 3 to join the Burlington Fire Department.

He returned to District 3 as a Lieutenant. After buying a house on Best Road, he briefly served with Fire District 2, the McLean Road Fire Department.

He then came to La Conner and served as battalion chief, before becoming Fire Chief.

“The fire services have meant everything to me ever since growing up around it,” Morrison said. “I met my wife, Kristen, at District 3, and a lot of my mentors through the fire service.”

Within the first week of being voted in as La Conner’s chief, six new volunteers have stepped forward and applied to join the fire department.

“The six new members are being processed right now,” said Morrison.

He is bringing new energy to La Conner’s fire department.

He said, “My top priorities as Chief is for the fire department to provide the best possible service for the Town of La Conner, as well as setting new procedures, recruiting, and bringing uniforms to the department, bringing pride and professionalism, high morale and bringing the fun back into the fire department.”

The La Conner Fire Department meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m., year round; the first Wednesday of every month is a business meeting, and the regular meetings are trainings.

“We will be focusing on enhancing the training,” Morrison said. Also, “We’re going to have the members of the fire department enhance the stewardship in town by being more visible and supporting town events and functions.”

Chief Morrison is excited for the “new challenges, and opportunities” that he will take on as Fire Chief of the La Conner Fire Department.