Who would have believed that a young boy joining the ranks of the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department in 1983 would lead to a life as a professional paramedic and firefighter? That’s exactly what happened to Greg Morris who now, as a second career, has become one of the newest assistants of the West Virginia State Fire Marshall’s office.
“The Sutton Department and my dedicated mentors sparked an interest in me that has guided me down a path that I truly love,” says the Sutton native.
The desire to help others and the allure of the world of fire suppression lead the Braxton County High School graduate to Shepherd University where he studied fire service and safety technology.
Greg continued his service work in a neighboring county working as an Emergency Medical Technician while earning his Paramedic certification.
A short time later he tested and was hired by the Charleston Fire Department. That career would span twenty-five years before he retired in 2020. During his tenure Morris ran the gambit in the world of firefighting. Beginning as a firefighter he would advance through the ranks and eventually become a captain at Charleston’s most active Station 1 in the heart of the capital city. He was assigned to one of the city’s 105-foot arial apparatuses.
Morris couldn’t get enough of the profession he chose and continued his education throughout his career. Those studies lead to a position on the Regional Response Team in addition to his Step Up-Battalion Chief and Safety Officer duties with the CFD. His vast experience and knowledge also lead to him to numerous specialties classes all across the US.
Following his retirement from the CFD, Morris ventured into the world of airport firefighting and worked for a private company before applying to the State Marshal’s Office in March 2023. That nearly yearlong process ended on January 16, 2024, when Greg Morris was one of two individuals selected to join the elite ranks of the WVSF.
While his vast experience in the field will give him the basis for his new job, the first months will be consumed with additional intense training. That will begin with in-house schooling to learn the ropes of how the Fire Marshal’s office operates. Then there will be sixteen weeks of basic law enforcement training at the West Virginia State Police Academy. There will also be specialized instruction in several areas including fire investigation which will be the division Morris has been assigned. While based in Charleston, those duties will encompass the entire Mountain State.
The new Assistant State Fire Marshal says he is definitely excited about this second career path. “It is an honor to join the ranks of the WVSFM. I am extremely excited about this new endeavor. I think the job is a good fit for someone with my background and I am really looking forward to it,” says Morris.
The State Fire Marshal’s office is pleased to have Greg on board. “We are excited to have Greg as part of our team. We feel that his years of experience in emergency services will be a great benefit to the agency,” said WVSFM Chief Deputy Robbie Bailey.
The new Assistant State Marshal is the son of J. W. Morris of Sutton and Kathy Brown of Belle. He and his wife of 25-year years, Becky, reside in Elkview.
