Morro Bay City Manager, Scott Collins, announced today that he is appointing Daniel McCrain to be the City of Morro Bay’s new Fire Chief. Mr. Collins selected Daniel from a pool of over 20 candidates following a comprehensive interview process that included interviews with community members, Morro Bay Fire Department staff, and local fire and police chiefs. Mr. McCrain begins his work with the City team July 31st.
“I am excited to bring Daniel McCrain onboard at this key time in Morro Bay history,” said City Manager Collins. “The City is going through some big changes and the Fire Department will play a key role in seeing these challenges and opportunities through successfully. Therefore, we need a strong leader and manager to guide these important efforts by working closely with our talented Fire Department staff. Daniel is the right person for the job, and I look forward to him joining my executive team and leading the Fire Department.”
Daniel McCrain comes to Morro Bay with over 27 years in fire/paramedic and emergency management service experience. Currently, he serves as Fire Captain for the Cambria Community Services District Fire Department, where he oversees emergency response for his shift and the agency’s fire prevention, community education and commercial business inspection programs. Prior to that, he was the Operations Director/Paramedic for the Cambria Community Healthcare District, where he managed paramedic and EMT staff, training, and records. Mr. McCrain served in several fire management roles for other agencies and has taught paramedic and EMT courses at Cuesta College. Mr. McCrain has a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management from Waldorf University and an associate’s degree in Fire Technologies from Allan Hancock University.
“I am honored to be selected as the new Fire Chief for the City of Morro Bay,” said Daniel McCrain. “This is a great responsibility, and I am very humbled that the City has put their trust in me to guide the department into the future. The members of the Morro Bay Fire Department are an incredibly talented, and dedicated group of people that care for the community. I am so grateful for the love and support from my family which has been instrumental in my growth and progression throughout my career. I thank the City for giving me the opportunity to work with this outstanding department.”
Mr. McCrain will oversee the department of 13 full-time employees and several part-time employees. Key upcoming Fire Department initiatives include reviewing the potential world’s largest lithium battery storage project, concluding public health emergency activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and updating the Fire Department Strategic Plan. Daniel will oversee the department with the help of recently promoted Division Chief/Fire Marshal Matt Vierra.
Daniel will replace Fire Chief Steve Knuckles who began working for the City of Morro Bay in 1999 as a Fire Captain and was promoted to Fire Chief in 2013. The change of command ceremony is tentatively scheduled for the morning of Friday, July 30th in front of the Morro Bay Fire Station on Harbor Street.