Terry L. Merrell Named February Firefighter of the Month

Mobile, Ala. — The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department (MFRD) proudly announces that Fire Service Driver Terry L. Merrell has been named as the Firefighter of the Month for February.

Merrell, who has been with the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department for over 19 years, consistently demonstrates outstanding performance and commitment to the safety and well-being of the residents of Mobile. His exemplary skills in emergency response, coupled with his attitude and teamwork, have greatly contributed to the department's success.

Merrell was recently praised on social media by a mother after he gave a young child an in-depth tour and engine show-and-tell after he noticed them watching when he was washing the apparatus. He said his drive to be a firefighter can be traced all the way back to Fire Prevention Week when he was a kid after his drawing won a competition. “I knew then that I wanted to be a fireman,” he said.

“You got to have compassion, you got to have love, and you got to want to help people,” Merrell said. “At their worst time, they're expecting you to come fix it.”

Merrell couples his drive to help others with a positive attitude that he spreads to fellow firefighters.

“Even if we're on our third call after midnight his positive attitude helps keep the crew in a compassionate state of mind,” Captain Michael Breckenridge, his supervisor, said. “He is willing to pass down all of his information and proves that attitude is a choice in a day where so many others choose to complain.”

Merrell joined the MFRD in August of 2005 and was promoted to driver in 2008. He is also a hazardous materials technician, a rescue technician, and is also a certified airport firefighter. He has been awarded the physical fitness ribbon.