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The Cities Blog
Jon Gordon

Minneapolis fire chief to step down

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Minneapolis Fire Chief Alex Jackson announced today that he will retire.

Jackson spent 27 years in the department before becoming the first African American to be appointed chief in 2008.

Mayor R.T. Rybak and other city leaders praised Jackson's leadership and say he will be missed.

Jackson had been feeling heat from the city council members who were concerned about growing overtime expenditures.

Rybak will nominate John Fruetel as the next chief. Fruetel is a former Minneapolis firefighter of 31 years who retired in 2010 as assistant chief. He currently manages emergency preparedness and training for the city.