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The city of Lanett announced on Tuesday that longtime Lanett Fire & EMS Chief, Johnny Allen, had passed away.

According to former VTN reporting, Allen served all but seven of his 40 years of Fire and EMS service in the city of Lanett. He was born and raised in Lanett and began his career at a private ambulance service while still in high school. He joined the full-time staff of Lanett Fire & EMS in 1982.

Allen returned to the department in 2008. The following year, he was promoted to fire chief. His philosophy has always been to take care of the citizens. Over the years, Allen has also served on the Chambers County 911 Board and the Chattahoochee Valley Water Supply District. 

The Chambers County EMA Facebook account posted a tribute to Allen stating, “He was a mentor and a dear friend to so many of us. He was a guiding light in our community, someone who dedicated his life to protecting others, both on the front lines and behind the scenes…Losing him feels like losing a part of our own hearts and family.”