Deputy Commissioner Sent Out the Door With Him
IT WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE MAYOR’S OFFICE late this morning that Detroit Fire Commissioner James Mack and Deputy Commissioner Seth Doyle have both been shown the exit to city hall.
Mayor Bing (left) and Deputy Mayor Green jointly
announced the Fire Department shakeup this morning.
(MLive / Warrick photo)
This sudden announcement came on the heels of a tv report that a homeowner had a wallet stolen by a fire officer while the company was investigating a possible CO leak in the house. After complaining to fire authorities about it, the wallet was quietly returned and the FD failed to follow procedures which include filing a police report. Unfortunately for the Commish and his deputy, they didn’t tell Mayor Bing either and he learned about it when FD gadfly Charlie LeDuff of WJBK-TV called him up to ask about it.
Here is WJBK-TV’s video report on the quick hook:
The mayor emphasizes that the stolen wallet episode is not the only reason for the firings, but was the “last straw” in a series of departmental malfunctions including the collapse of the EMS response and lack of firetruck maintenance.
Mayor Bing said Deputy Chief Fred Wheeler will serve as acting fire commissioner while a national search gets under way to replace Mack, who was named fire commissioner in September 2009 and has been with the department since 1978.
Note: It has been pointed out to us that the head of the firefighting division carries the title of Fire Chief. He is not to be confused with the two men who were dismissed today.
The Detroit Free Press has the early REPORT.
The Detroit News has MORE.
