Seven Hills officials pay tribute to Fire Chief Jamie Mecklenburg

Council members and city staff paid tribute Thursday to Fire Chief Jamie Mecklenburg, who died earlier this week, highlighting his role in modernizing the department and his impact on the community.

The mayor’s safety director told the council Mecklenburg led station renovations, helped secure a new engine and two ambulances, and won a grant that placed EpiPens across city facilities and funded training for city employees. "Not only for the pens, but also to educate every member of the city workforce," the safety director said, adding the department’s ISO rating improved during Mecklenburg’s tenure.

Several council members recounted personal memories. "That type of personal service, if you will, that type of caring is what Jamie was all about," Ward 3 Councilman Snitsky said, describing how Mecklenburg and the department provided rapid, compassionate help during a medical emergency. Ward 4 Councilman Morrow said Mecklenburg "really understood our community" and called him an asset who will be greatly missed. Councilman Elliott credited Mecklenburg with helping transform the department after he became full-time chief.

The safety director described mutual-aid support during funeral arrangements and thanked neighboring departments that staffed the city’s station and joined the funeral procession. He also said staff volunteers organized a bereavement luncheon so city employees could attend services.

The family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to local causes; the safety director referenced both a Yard Foundation fundraiser listed with the family name and the Lisonbee/Allison Rose foundation as suggested donation options.

The council concluded the evening following the tributes and adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

The council did not take action related to department leadership or personnel during the meeting; memorial arrangements and any related administrative steps were presented as informational remarks.