Chief Merkison was born and raised in Clayton County where his family has made their home for over 50 years. After graduating from North Clayton High School, Chief Merkison attended and graduated from Griffin Technical Institute where he majored in Architectural and Engineering Drafting. He furthered his education at Columbia Southern University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration and a Master’s Degree in Business.<p>Chief Merkison began his firefighting career as a volunteer with the City of Jonesboro in 1992. In 1993, he was hired by the City of Riverdale and In March of 1996, he began his career with Clayton County Fire &amp; Emergency Services. He was promoted through the ranks serving as a Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain within the Fire Marshal’s Office and in 2008 was promoted to Battalion Chief and charged with creating the Technical Services Division. From 2010 through 2013, he served as a member of the Fire Chief’s Executive Staff as the Assistant Fire Chief and Deputy Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. On November 5, 2013, he was appointed the sixth Fire Chief of Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services where he also serves as the EMS Director and Director of Emergency Management. In January of 2021, Chief Merkison was appointed to head the new Office of Resilience and Sustainability.<p>In addition to his roles within the department, Chief Merkison serves as Chairman of the Clayton County Citizens Corps Council and as a member of the Region III EMS Council. In October of 2014, the Board of Commissioners appointed him to serve on the Board of Directors for Southern Regional Medical Center and in 2020 Governor Brian Kemp appointed him to serve on the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council.<p> To download the Team Discussion Guide, click here .<br>To watch the Video Podcast on Youtube, click here .