Former fire chief dies
Former Calgary fire chief Wayne Morris, who died Tuesday, is being remembered as a major supporter of rank-and-file firefighters.
“You will never find a more dedicated and devoted person to the fire service or serving the citizens of the city,” said Deputy Chief Ken Uzeloc. “All he cared about was making sure the fire service benefited and the citizens were looked after.”
Morris, 66, had been battling colon cancer, says Mark Faires, president of the Calgary Firefighters Association.
“He was one of us,” Faires said. “There is certainly an outpouring of grief right now in the fire department.”
Born and raised in Calgary, Morris began his career in 1966 and slowly rose through the ranks until he was named fire chief in 1999, a role he held until retirement in 2005.
Ald. Ray Jones was on the committee that eventually named Morris fire chief.
“I think we would have had a riot if we hired someone else” due to the respect for Morris by his co-workers, Jones recalled.
Jones said Morris retired when he realized it was time to move on.
During his time as chief, Morris was influential in implementing a new health and wellness program, as well as the first Canadian aquatic rescue program.
The health program created dedicated staff and facilities to check each firefighter every year, saving innumerable lives, according to Uzeloc.
“They can get those diagnosis early for the best outcome possible, if they do have problems,” he said.
After retiring, Morris was part of the Calgary Firefighters Benevolent Fund, which helps current and former fire department staff during times of distress.
He was also the CEO for the 1997 World Police and Fire Games held in Calgary, and won gold and silver medals in triathlon and cycling events.
Former mayor Dave Bronconnier said Morris was the perfect fit for management.
“He straddled that fine line between making sure the budgets were met but at the same time making sure the department didn’t go without the necessities on a day-to-day basis,” Bronconnier said. “Through some tough economic times, it wasn’t always easy.”
Faires said the colon cancer that likely killed Morris is now considered “occupationally caused.”
“We will be treating this as a lineof-duty death and will be honouring his name in Colorado Springs next year at the International Association of Fire Fighters Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial,” Faires said.
Morris leaves a wife and adult son.
There has not been an announcement about a memorial service.