Morris Hapgood is a veteran who became close with the team at Station 19.
History[]
One spring, Morris came to station 19 with his friend and fellow veteran, Arlo. Morris had fallen and cut his hands on some glass, so Arlo brought him there to be treated, surprising Morris, who didn't know that fire stations could handle things outside of fires. While they were there, they revealed that they were unhoused, so after cleaning and bandaging Morris's hand, Jack gave them some granola bars, saying he had some experience with homelessness himself and those helped.
Morris and Arlo came back to the station for their annual spaghetti dinner, where they shared dirty limericks and bonded with the team.
Morris came back with Arlo, who was acting erratically. As they examined him, Morris informed them that Arlo had been rationing his insulin as he was low and didn't think he could get more. They loaded Arlo into an aid car while Vic took care of Morris. She was going to take Morris to meet them at the hospital, but before they could leave, Vic got a call that Arlo had died, so she broke the news to Morris.
Without Arlo, by summer, Morris was struggling. Sullivan was working to get him into housing through the VA, but in the meantime, gave him a sleeping bag. However, Crisis One got call out to his encampment when some nearby construction triggered him. He grabbed Andy, unaware of who she was, but Vic was able to get him oriented enough to release her. At that point, the team decided that they'd be Morris's friends and try to support him in the way Arlo had.
In the fall, Morris came to the station for a new winter coat. Then he met Vic in the park, where he talked about his experience as a veteran returning home versus Arlo's. He and the other Vietnam soldiers were spat on while Arlo was welcomed with parades and balloons, but in the end, neither of them actually got the support they needed. Vic noticed a plaque on the bench they were on and commented on how vague the message was. She told Morris that she would do better if she made one for him. When he phone alarm went off, Vic left to go to class, but told Morris he could keep everything she'd brought with her.
Not long after that, Sullivan got Morris an interview for transitional housing through the VA, but before the interview, the cops came through the encampment and trashed everything, including the documents Morris needed for the interview. Despondent, Morris stood in the middle of the road, blocking traffic, until Vic and Travis arrived and got him out of the road. He said it wouldn't make a difference if they hit him, but Vic told him she'd be devastated.
In the winter, Morris was still struggling, but Vic visited him and brought him a new tent. While they were talking, Margaret started taking pictures and asked if she could talk to Vic about the charity work she was doing. Vic said no, that she was just trying to have a private conversation with a friend. Once Margaret was gone, Vic told Morris that that wasn't a publicity stunt, which he knew as Margaret was always there taking pictures. Vic then helped him set up his new tent.
The next spring, a fire started in Morris's encampment. Station 19 arrived, minus Vic, to put out the fire, but Morris went back into his tent instead of evacuating, saying he wouldn't leave without his stuff. There was an explosion and Morris died.
The team served as pallbearers at Morris's funeral and Vic was presented with his flag.
Relationships[]
Friendships[]
He was close with fellow veteran Arlo until Arlo died. After that, he became close with the members of Station 19, especially Victoria Hughes.
Career[]
He spent time in the military and served in Vietnam.
Notes and Trivia[]
- He was 74 when he met the team at Station 19.
Gallery[]
Episode Stills[]
