Eric Jones
Things are changing in the Detroit Fire Department, thanks to Eric Jones, who became the new fire commissioner a month ago, reports Steve Neavling of Motor City Muckraker:
Just a month into the job, Jones has wasted no time cleaning up what consultants called a “cover-up culture” in the mismanaged fire department. A day after the council approved his appointment, Jones forced the resignation of Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Dougherty, who failed to provide firefighters with safe, certified equipment and rigs.
In an unprecedented move, Jones required all of his top brass to reapply for their jobs and opened the positions to firefighters and their officers.
“It’s a new day,” said Jones, whose son is a firefighter. “I never thought I’d get a new calling.”
Jones knows the challenges are steep.
“We are under no illusions. We have been plagued with problems. But under my watch, my goal is to eradicate those problems swiftly.”
