Mike Duggan's pick for Detroit fire commissioner is stepping aside after just three months as head of the department. The reason is a scary health problem, Simon Shaykhet of WXYZ reports.
Jonathan Jackson announced Tuesday afternoon that he is retiring from the Detroit Fire Department after 25 years -- effective April 7 -- due to medical issues.
The 44-year-old commissioner revealed that he was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition related to his brain. The diagnosis was made a month ago after he began experiencing dizziness. He did not go into detail regarding the medical diagnosis, but says his doctor advised him that it would be hazardous to his health to continue working.
Jackson told reporters at the city’s Public Safety Headquarters:
“I truly appreciate the opportunity that Mayor Duggan gave me to lead the department I served my entire career. Unfortunately, I have been dealing with some very serious health challenges that have only gotten worse over the past several weeks."
Steve Neavling, a blogger who monitors the department regularly, adds background at Motor City Muckraker -- including this irony: Though Jackson was hospitalized eight times as a firefighter, nothing was as severe as what he faces now.
Neavling puts the surprise news in context:
Jackson’s sudden departure is sad news for a department that has almost universally supported its new leader, a rarity at a time when firefighters are working with 10% pay cuts and inadequate equipment and staff. . . . Jackson has been described by colleagues as ambitious, smart, tough, effective and earnest. . . .
He replaced Commissioner Donald Austin, whose Dec. 31 resignation came amid widespread criticism of his handling of the city’s fire crisis.
Duggan said Jackson’s impact on the department has been swift. Neavling quotes from a mayoral statement:
“In just a few short months, Commissioner Jackson has helped to lay the ground work for significant service improvements that residents will begin to see in the near future, including faster EMS response times, a more aggressive approach to dealing with arsonists and improvements to our ambulance fleet.”
-- Alan Stamm
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