Daniel Prince
Merrifield oversaw repairs to the county's radio system for fire communications
Union County Fire Coordinator, 911 Coordinator, and Emergency Management Director Dennis Merrifield passed away on Sunday. Merrifield came to Union County in August 2021 to serve as the county’s first Fire Coordinator. His first task was to oversee repairs to the county’s radio system for fire communication. His job eventually expanded to include the positions of 911 Coordinator and Emergency Management Director, as well. Merrifield was battling cancer. On the Union County Facebook page, it says that Chief Merrifield was a great addition to the Union County team, and his loss will be felt tremendously. He spent his life in service to others and was always searching for ways to help those on the worst days of their lives.
One of his former stops was in Estero, FL, where he served as chief of Estero Fire Rescue from 1998 to 2005. On its Facebook page, the department stated that Merrifield was critical to EFR growing into the department they are today. He helped to bring advanced life support capabilities to the district and improve the infrastructure. He oversaw the building and staffing of four new fire stations in the area to accommodate the growth the community experienced. He left from there to take over as Fire Chief in Statesboro, GA.
Prior to his stint in Estero, he served as Chief and Fire Marshal of Bayshore Fire Rescue from 1989 to 1998. On their Facebook page, they called Merrifield a great and talented leader.
Merrifield is survived by his wife, Renee, and four children.