Jack Krakeel, director of Fayette's Department of Fire and Emergency Services, has been recognized by his peers worldwide as Fire Chief of the Year for 1999.

Fire Chief Magazine, official organ of the International Fire Chiefs' Association, presents the award annually based on nominations from national and state-level fire service organizations. The recipient must be “an exceptional fire chief” and must have made significant contributions to fire service on a regional or national basis.

He will receive the award Sunday in Kansas City during the Fire Rescue International `99 Conference, the annual meeting of the International Fire Chiefs' Association.

“Obviously, his peers know talent when they see it,” County Commission Chairman Harold Bost said of Krakeel's accomplishment. “Jack Krakeel is extremely capable and we are indeed proud to have him as Fayette County's chief.”

Krakeel has worked in fire and emergency services for more than 25 years, 15 of them in Fayette County as assistant chief and, since 1994, department director.

Under his direction, the department has been first more than once. It was the first fire department in Georgia to deploy automated external defibrillators on engine companies and within the past year has expanded the program county-wide to include all law enforcement agencies.

The department also was first in the state to have career firefighters certified through the National Professional Qualification System as Firefighter II. Approximately 65 percent of the staff are registered nationally as paramedics, with paramedic certification a requirement for all officers. Fayette's department is the only one in Georgia with that level of certification.

Another first, Fayette's department was the first in Georgia to enact a sprinkler ordinance for multifamily dwellings, and to develop a portable fire safety education home, designed to teach children how to escape from a burning home.

The department's Emergency Medical Services also have been first in Georgia to perform a variety of advanced procedures, and recently entered into a partnership with Clayton College and State University and the University of Maryland to enhance its paramedics' education for Critical Care Paramedic certification.

As a result, the Fayette EMS has received numerous state, regional and national awards and has hosted dignitaries from several foreign countries who want to learn from Fayette's success.

Emergency management also comes under Krakeel's direction in Fayette, and the department recently was recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for exemplary practices through development and implementation of the Fayette County Resource Council. The nonprofit council, with members from both public and private sector agencies, is designed to share resources in the event of a hazardous materials crisis.

Krakeel also has been involved in numerous local, state, regional, national and international emergency services organizations, and has been a primary speaker at more than 30 conferences. He is past president of the Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Association, and current chairman of the National Fire protection Association's Technical Project in EMS.

Krakeel also is principle negotiator for the International Association of Fire Chiefs to the Health Care Financing Administration's Negotiational Rulemaking Committee on a National Ambulance Fee Schedule.

He is in his third year as a ember of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, was instrumental in development of the National Fire Services Accreditation Program, and is one of ten faculty members for the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

He also has been published in eight professional publications.

“Certainly Jack Krakeel has built and maintained a world class team and consequently Fayette County benefits from world class emergency services,” said county manager Billy Beckett. “Throughout his career, Jack has consistently demonstrated an extraordinary and long-term commitment to public service in general and to the vital public safety function specifically.

“His professionalism, leadership, aptitude, work ethic and commitment to excellence are exemplary,” Beckett added. “I am delighted that Jack has been chosen by his peers for this wonderful honor."