
Robert Morris Sr. has been the recipient of the FDIC International 2025 Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award.
Morris was named chief of the Stamford (CT) Fire Department in February 2024. Morris served as the assistant chief of volunteer services since 2014, overseeing all five of the city’s volunteer fire companies, and has been serving as interim chief since October 2023. He is a senior instructor at the Connecticut Fire Academy.
Previously, during a 40-year career with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), he was captain/company commander of Rescue 1; a captain in Ladder 28; a lieutenant in Ladder 44 and Engine 42; and a firefighter in Rescue 3, Ladder 42, and Engine 60.
His volunteer experience includes the Belltown (CT), Long Ridge (CT), and Pound Ridge (NY) Fire Departments.
He attended the FDNY Fire Academy, the Stamford Fire Academy, JM Wright Technical School, and the University of Cincinnati Fire Science Degree Program.
Her has numerous IFSAC and Pro Board certifications, New York City and New York State certifications, and 28 meritorious awards from FDNY.
His inventions include the following:
- The Rex Tool, a forcible entry tool carried by every officer in the FDNY.
- The Mono Pod for high angle rescue.
- The Hydraulic Lifting Strut system for lifting heavy vehicles and machinery.
- Equipment to provide air remotely through fire hose to supply and operate high-volume rescue tools such as jackhammers and air drills.
He is a longtime instructor of forcible entry at FDIC and the author of the New York City Fire Department Forcible Entry Hand Book and the Fire Fighter Hand Book (Delmar Publishing).