Community Celebrates Sandy Springs Founding Fire Chief

Sandy Springs residents and leaders gathered on the City Center Green to celebrate the city’s founding fire chief.

Jack McElfish, who plans to retire this month, was praised and celebrated by current and former leaders on Thursday during a city-sponsored picnic.

Chief McElfish announced his retirement in January, following a 51-year career in fire/rescue service, with more than 33 years serving in the role of fire chief. On Monday, the city announced it’s hired Keith Sanders to replace McElfish.

McElfish joined the city of Sandy Springs in July 2006, tasked with creating a full service Fire and Rescue Department, which became operational on Jan. 1, 2007.

Since its inception, the Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Department has received numerous awards including the Crown Community Award by American City and County Magazine.

Chief McElfish has been honored on many occasions, receiving the Mission Award from the American Heart Association, the Alan Brunacini Fire Service Executive Safety Award and several designations as Fire Chief of the Year.

He was also one of the country’s first to receive the designation of Chief Fire Officer from the Commission of Professional Credentialing.

The city of Sandy Springs posted several photos of the picnic on its Facebook page, which can be viewed below.

(Photo: Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, right, speaks to the crowd as Chief Jack McElfish looks on. Credit: city of Sandy Springs)