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.

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.

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