It's long past midnight in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and firefighter Mark Merrell of Engine 255 is explaining to me why medals aren't important and being called a hero doesn't matter all that much. "What you try to achieve is for somebody to say, 'you're a good fireman.' That's probably the biggest compliment you can get," he says.
- PUB DATE: 2/13/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WABC-TV 7online.com

Horry County firefighters are leaving and moving to other departments like Myrtle Beach with complaints of too much overtime and low pay, according to Rob Mullaney, president of the Horry County chapter of the International Association of Firefighters. “A lot of the problems are staffing,” he said. “Our turnover rate is ridiculous and you’re losing a lot of mid-level and senior guys to departments, starting over at departments because the benefits are better, the pay is better, the longevity with the pay is better.
- PUB DATE: 2/13/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: MyrtleBeachOnline.com

In an interview with JET 24 Roger Gilbert Junior confirms that he has officially resigned as Fire Chief of the Spartansburg Fire Department. Gilbert says he has been a Spartansburg volunteer firemen for 25 years, starting as a junior fireman. He spent five years as assistant chief, before being elected chief a year ago.
- PUB DATE: 2/13/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WJET/WFXP YourErie.com

Samuel Eaton isn’t afraid of many things. A battalion chief for the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, the 52-year-old has made a career of charging into burning buildings and coming out in one piece. But thinking toward his upcoming birthday, he’ll tell you he’s deeply concerned. Eaton lost one of his best friends, a retired fire captain in the department, last year at 53.
- PUB DATE: 2/13/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Miami Herald

Two Yakima fire chiefs are on the verge of retiring from the department. According to a City of Yakima press release, Yakima Fire Chief Bob Stewart and Deputy Fire Chief Mark Soptich will retire in February 2018. Stewart has served as chief since June 2014 and has spent his entire firefighting career with the Yakima Fire Department (YFD).
- PUB DATE: 2/13/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS 29 Yakima