MINNEAPOLIS - On a unanimous vote the Minneapolis City Council confirmed the nomination of veteran firefighter John Fruetel as the city's next Fire Chief Friday.
"Chief Fruetel is a firefighter's firefighter: he connects well with everyone and as a former trainer, he is in close touch with firefighters' needs at all ranks," said Council Member Don Samuels, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Health Committee. "I expect that he will be a hands-on leader who will bring great stability and a morale boost to the department."
Fruetel began his career as a firefighter with the Minneapolis Fire Department in the 1979, was promoted to captain in 1986 and then to battalion chief in 1993.
In 1998, Fruetel was named deputy chief of the Training Division, then deputy chief of Operations prior to being appointed assistant chief of Operations 2007. In 2010, he moved to the City's Emergency Management Division, where he was responsible for the implementation and coordination of the Training Needs Assessment Program.
"I'm extremely honored that the Mayor nominated me and the City Council has confirmed me as Minneapolis Fire Chief, which is the job I have dreamed about since I was a little boy," Fruetel said. "I am ready to address the challenges we face and eager to get back to leading this great department and serving the residents of Minneapolis."
Morale has been a problem recently with the rank and file of the fire department as the city's budget woes have resulted in reductions to both firefighter positions and equipment.
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