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LANETT — The Lanett City Council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution honoring the life and legacy of former Fire & EMS Chief Johnny Allen, who died on Monday, August 12th. It was announced at the same meeting that the department’s assistant chief, Jamie M. Heard, had been elevated to interim chief.

“It is with great sorrow and deep regret that the legislative body of the City of Lanett records the passing of Chief Johnny Allen, noting the significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments,” the resolution reads.

The resolution’s text added that Chief Allen had been with the fire department is some capacity since 1983. That year, it reads, “he began what would be a lifelong commitment of protecting others and giving his whole self to this community. He served as a firefighter, paramedic, captain and in 2009 was appointed fire and EMS chief. As a result of all his hard work and dedication, he was chosen by the Mayor as Employee of the Year in 2022.

“Chief Allen was not only responsible for his team of brave men and women firefighters and EMS, but personally took on the responsibility of keeping this entire community safe.

“He also served his community by being part of numerous boards and organizations in various capacities. He was a board member of the Chattahoochee Valley Water Supply District and the Chambers County 911 Board. He gave of his time to the Valleywide Christmas Parade Committee, the Lanett Regional Airport Committee, as an athletic trainer for the Lanett High and Springwood School sports teams and faithfully accompanied ‘Old Saint Nick’ every year on his annual Christmas Eve ride around Lanett on the back of a fire truck.”

“Chief Allen entered into his eternal rest on Monday, August 12, 2024. He will be remembered as a man who led with integrity, dedicated his life to helping others, always had an open ear to listen, and who loved his family, his community and the City of Lanett.

“Be is resolved by the City of Lanett and its mayor and council that this city has lost a great leader and a man who leaves behind a legacy that will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended. Be it further resolved that this resolution be included in the official minutes of the Lanett City Council and a proclamation be presented to the family naming Friday, August 16th, 2024 ‘Chief Johnny Allen Day’ in the City of Lanett.”

Mayor Jamie Heard announced that someone with the same name as his is the interim fire chief. The LFD Jamie Heard has been with the city since 2005. He will reach 20 years as a City of Lanett employee next year. He’s learned a lot from his mentor and teacher over the past two decades.

Firefighters and paramedics credit Chief Allen for Lanett being a well equipped fire and EMS department.

In seeking to maintain that well equipped department, the council approved a resolution at its Monday meeting to seek a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for two Defibtech Lifeline ARM chest compression systems and accessories.

The council renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city and the city school system to support the school resource officer program. It also approved a resolution to adopt a 14-day work period for law enforcement personnel. This becomes effective on August 26th.

The council approved an amendment altering an earlier request for a grant for the purchase of two new senior center buses. These grants are available through the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). The city is seeking two 2024 Ford Mobility high roof transit vans. A previous request for $93,417 for each one has been increased to $97,000 for each one.

Council members expressed condolences to the families of Chief Allen and former City School Board Member Katie Walton, who passed away recently. They also expressed condolences to fellow Council Member Ronnie Tucker, who recently lost his sister.