After nearly six years with the Escalon Fire Department, Dan Morriss has moved on, and will be helping create a new department from the ground up.

An opportunity to join that brand new fire department to serve the Chicken Ranch Casino was too good to pass up, said Morriss.

“The responsibility would primarily just be the tribal-owned property and they are working on an automatic aid agreement with the county for areas in close proximity,” Morriss said.

He added that talks have been underway with the tribal council for some time in developing plans for the fire department.

“It’s a unique opportunity to start a department from the ground up, it really is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Morriss said. “Not very many people get to open a new department.”

Morriss came to Escalon in 2019 as a Battalion Chief; his final day on the job here was May 2 and he started his new job on May 5.

While in Escalon, Morriss said he enjoyed working with the younger firefighters, both volunteers and reserves, and being able to serve as somewhat of a mentor for them.

Morriss said he was recruited to help develop the Chicken Ranch Fire Department by a longtime colleague, Chief Aimee New, and he will serve as a Captain for the new department.

“We will start with two paid staff per day, hoping to increase to three per day,” Morriss explained.

Escalon Fire Chief Rick Mello said the department wishes Morriss well but his leaving is also tough.

“It’s never easy to lose people but I can’t fault someone from wanting to better themselves,” Mello said of Morriss seizing the chance to start a new department.

Escalon currently operates with three shifts, under Battalion Chiefs Joe Pelot, Moe Silva and Morriss. But with the departure of Morriss, the two remaining will take on more responsibility.

“They will fill his spot until we replace him,” Mello said.

The chief added that the fire board approved bringing Donnoe and Associates out of Fair Oaks on board to conduct the search process for a replacement.

“It does take time,” Mello said of the process for getting a new Battalion Chief hired, but he is confident the right fit will be found. “Either from here (within the department) or from outside, they will be ready to go.”