La Conner Fire Department has new look

Standing proudly in their new dark-blue uniforms, 11 volunteer firefighters recited one-by-one an oath in front of their peers as they received an official badge from the mayor last Wednesday evening.

The La Conner Fire Department held its first “badging ceremony” to present both new and old recruits with badges as they were sworn in—vowing to uphold the law, place their responsibilities above their personal feelings and to serve their communities fairly and to the best of their ability.

“I’m really proud of all of you,” Mayor Ramon Hayes said to the firefighters. “This is the fabric of the community—this is what makes a town work.”

The new tradition comes under Fire Chief Josh Morrison’s leadership, who took the post last November after former chief Dan Taylor retired and became the town’s Fire Marshal.

Morrison committed to getting the department equipped with new uniforms along with other departmental changes.

“The badge is a symbol of honor, pride and integrity,” Morrison said.

The La Conner Fire Department has officially served the town for 85 years. Recently, the town council voted to end the fire department’s contract with Fire District 13 over space concerns for the town’s growing fire department.

Fire District 13 serves a wide area outside the town limits, and co-owns the La Conner Fire Station. The construction of the station was jointly funded by the town and Fire 13 in 2004. The town has notified Fire 13 that it will buy out its interest in the building.

La Conner Fire Department currently has 24 volunteers, 8 of whom joined after Morrison became chief. Four more firefighters will be sworn in on March 1.

“I think it shows pride and ownership for the town,” Morrison said about the new uniforms and badges. “It’s a new level of town representation.”