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The Troup County Fire Department removed the interim tag from Michael Strickland’s title on Thursday, officially naming him as the new fire chief.

Strickland has served as interim fire chief since October 2021 and as emergency management agency (EMA) director since January 2021.

He holds numerous certifications in Fire, EMS, and Emergency Management, including National Professional Qualification Firefighter 1 and 2, Aerial and Pumper Operator, Fire Inspector 1, Fire Instructor 1 and 2, and Fire Officer 1, 2, 3 and 4.

He is also a State of Georgia Paramedic and a Nationally Registered Paramedic.

Before joining Troup County, Strickland served in the Fayette County Fire/EMS Department in a variety of roles, including assistant fire marshal, fire lieutenant, and fire captain. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, and has been a resident of Troup County, Georgia since 2017.

Strickland was also the alternate choice when former chief, John Ekaitis, was hired, so this move was always expected once Ekaitis announced his retirement.

We wish Strickland luck as he continues in the fire chief role for his community. We look forward to working with him over the years.