Minneapolis Fire Chief Retiring After 30 Years Of Service

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Minneapolis Fire Chief Alex Jackson announced Wednesday he is retiring from duty after more than 30 years of service.

Jackson's last day as the Minneapolis Fire Chief will be Feb. 29. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said Wednesday he will nominate John Fruetel to succeed Jackson.

Jackson was the first African-American chief in the history of the Minneapolis Fire Department. He spent three years as the fire chief.

Fruetel was a Minneapolis firefighter for 31 years before he retired in 2010 as the assistant fire chief. He currently serves the city of Minneapolis as its Emergency Preparedness Training Manager.