Former Estero fire chief takes post in Georgia

Former Estero Fire Chief Dennis Merrifield is moving to Georgia.

Merrifield was hired Tuesday as chief of the Statesboro Fire Department at a salary of about $74,000, said Statesboro City Manager George Wood.

Merrifield abruptly resigned in December after eight years as chief of the Estero fire district. He cited differences of opinion with fire commissioners as one reason for leaving.

He was en route Wednesday to Statesboro and could not be reached for comment.

Statesboro officials were impressed by Merrifield’s track record, especially his experience at a growing district like Estero, Wood said.

“Dennis seems to meet all of the criteria. We’re thrilled to get him,” Wood said.

Statesboro, a city of about 32,000 located 55 miles west of Savannah, is expanding quickly, Wood said. The city is home to Georgia Southern University, which has a student population of 16,600 and is growing by 600 students each year, he said.

The fire department has 34 employees and two station houses, and the city is preparing to add a third station and more staff, he said. More stations are likely to be added in the next few years, he said.

“I think Dennis will fit in and make us a great chief,” Wood said.

Merrifield came to Estero Fire Rescue in 1998, a year after four of the five fire commissioners were ousted for secretively firing the district’s 11 firefighters and replacing them with contracted employees from Wackenhut Services, Inc.

Jimmie Wright, who was chief before Merrifield, resigned that same year after he was arrested on grand theft charges.

Estero Fire grew to 42 firefighter paramedics, four station houses and a yearly budget of $9 million while Merrifield was chief.

Jeff Lindsey, the district’s operations chief, was appointed interim fire chief after Merrifield’s resignation. Estero Fire commissioners formally hired Lindsey as chief in April.

“We’re happy that he’s got employment. We do wish him the best of luck in the future,” Lindsey said.