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Interim Fire Commissioner Retires Citing Serious Health Concerns

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit's Interim Executive Fire Commissioner has announced that he is retiring due to a life threatening health issue.

Over the course of his 25-year career, he has battled countless fires, and has been hospitalized numerous times for injuries sustained on the job reports WWJ City Beat reporter Vickie Thomas.

Now Detroit's 44-year-old interim fire commissioner Jonathan Jackson is retiring to fight a personal health battle.

"For the past few months I've had some symptoms that I just didn't connect - I didn't feel that they were all connected - but when I went and consulted come professionals, they made the connection for me, it's something that's involving my brain, it's neurological," he said.

Jackson would not comment on his condition or the course of treatment, saying that he'd prefer not to discuss more details, but feels that he will make a full recovery. "I've got a long list of to do's."

"I truly appreciate the opportunity that Mayor Duggan gave me to lead the department I served my entire career," Jackson said. "Unfortunately, I have been dealing with some very serious health challenges that have only gotten worse over the past several weeks. After talking it over with my family, we felt it was best for me to step aside at this time and focus on my health."

Mayor Duggan said he was saddened to have to accept Jackson's resignation.

"Jonathan has had a distinguished and heroic career at the Fire Department and has served citizens extremely well as their Executive Fire Commissioner," Mayor Duggan said. "It could not have been an easy decision for him to retire before his efforts were able to bear fruit, but I understand and support his decision completely. What is most important right now is for him to get healthy and enjoy his retirement with his family."

"I'm a young man and I have a lot more to do."

While he was in the position for just a few months it was widely believed that he would be offered the position on a permanent basis.

Jackson will retire on April 7th.

 

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