Sandy Springs To Celebrate Retiring Fire Chief On Thursday

The city of Sandy Springs on Thursday will honor its founding fire chief who plans to retire in October.

The community is invited to celebrate the tenure of Jack McElfish from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the City Center Green, located on Sandy Springs Circle at Johnson Ferry Road next to Fire Station 2. A picnic lunch will be served.

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.

(Photo: Jack McElfish, the founding fire chief for the city of Sandy Springs, will retire in October after 51 years of service. Credit: city of Sandy Springs)