By DAVE HAMRICK
Staff Writer

A parade of high-ranking state and local officials took to the microphone last week to honor and congratulate 1999 Fire Chief of the Year Jack Krakeel.

“You did all the work and we're here enjoying some of the credit with you,” Georgia Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor told Krakeel as he stood by with his wife, Marsha, and children Andrew, C.J. and Katie.

His family deserves much of the credit for the national award, Krakeel said, because they have been supportive of the long hours he has spent working to improve the firefighting profession.

State, regional and national firefighters' organizations nominate recipients for the annual award, which

Taylor pointed out that Fayette's chief was chosen from among thousands of fire departments throughout the country. “To have a Georgia chief recognized in this way is just a proud, proud day for all of us,” he said.

The mayors of all five Fayette cities presented plaques and congratulations to Krakeel, and state senators Greg Hecht and Rick Price presented a resolution from the Georgia Senate. Sheriff Randall Johnson presented his own plaque, calling Krakeel “ a great asset to the county” as well as a friend.

Hector Colon, past president of the Fayette County Rotary Club, presented an award for bringing honor to that organization. The current president couldn't make that presentation because the current president is Krakeel himself.

Georgia Emergency Management Agency director Gary McConnell made a brief speech of congratulations and presented Fayette County with two key grants (see related story). He said Krakeel's regional work in training area emergency workers for possible terrorism during the 1996 Olympics and his cooperation with GEMA during 1994 floods were among the achievements that made him eligible for the award.

Jerry Griffin, director of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia also offered congratulations. John Stacey, representing U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdell, and Trey Ragsdale, representing Sen. Max Cleland, also offered words of praise.

A thunderous standing ovation greeted Fayette's director of fire and emergency services as he stepped to the podium.

In addition to his family, Krakeel said the firefighters and emergency workers in Fayette provided the support that made the award possible.

“I just have the privilege of being the chief of a department of extreem professionals,” he said, adding his thanks to the county government. “Public safety has always been the number one priority in Fayette County,” he said.

Cleland representative Ragsdale summed up the mood of a large crowd of well-wishers attending the reception: “In an era when we are lacking great American heroes, Jack, you are an American who is truly great,” he said.