The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department proudly recognizes Firemedic Driver Justin Morris as the September 2026 Firefighter of the Month. Driver Morris began his career with the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department in October of 2006. After several years of fulfilling service as a firefighter and paramedic, Morris promoted to the rank of Firemedic Driver in 2004.

While off-duty on September 23, 2026, Morris was playing tennis at the Mobile Tennis Center as a part of USTA league matches, when bystanders witnessed an approximately 61-year old man collapse on the courts. Firemedic Morris rushed over and, after a quick assessment, discovered that the man was suffering a head injury after hitting the ground. After the bleeding was controlled and the wound covered, the man fell into sudden cardiac arrest.

As an experienced firemedic, Morris has provided care for patients in cardiac arrest hundreds of times, and his training kicked in immediately. Morris initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while directing bystanders to call 9-1-1 and bring an auto external defibrillator (AED). After a couple rounds of CPR and a defibrillating shock, the victim’s pulse returned, and he was breathing on his own when emergency responders arrived.

“I was in the right place, saw him stop breathing, and knew what to do,” Morris said. “Like the American Heart Association says, ‘Early access, early CPR, early AED.’ This situation was really good evidence of that working.”

The patient was rapidly loaded onto an ambulance, and MFRD medical teams continued patient care while transporting him to the nearest hospital. While en route to the hospital, he slipped into cardiac arrest 3 more times, and, each time, rescuers successfully implemented life saving efforts.  

After extensive, emergency medical treatment and a brief stay in the intensive care unit, the patient was discharged from the hospital, alive and with new opportunities in life.

“He called me not too long ago, and [he] seems to be doing pretty good. I can’t wait to see him out there on the tennis courts,” exclaimed Firemedic Morris.

Morris went above and beyond while off duty, and due to quick recognition and rapid action by Morris and responders, a life was saved. As such, the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department proudly recognizes Firemedic Justin Morris as the September 2026 Firefighter of the Month, and presents Lifesaving Awards to Morris and personnel from Engine 18 (B shift) and Rescue 1 (B shift).