Sandy Springs is mourning the death of the city’s first fire chief, Jack McElfish, who died Sept. 16 after a battle with cancer.
McElfish led the creation of the Sandy Springs Fire Department in 2006 and served as fire chief until his retirement in 2014, according to a press release from the city.
“The City of Sandy Springs is mourning the passing of Chief McElfish,” said Mayor Rusty Paul. “He played an instrumental role in shaping the core values of the Sandy Springs Fire Department and fostering a culture of service, teamwork, and professionalism that endures today.”
McElfish is survived by his wife, Joyce, his daughter, Kelly, and his grandson, Jack.
He spent 51 years working in fire rescue, earning numerous accolades, including the Crown Community Award from “American City and County Magazine.”
“Chief McElfish always had a smile, an encouraging word, and a strong belief in serving one another. He prioritized mentoring the next generation with a focus on customer service, and we will always remember him fondly,” City Manager Eden Freeman said.
