Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan gained a new administrator and lost one Monday as he announced a new director of immigrant affairs while the city's fire chief announced his retirement from the force.
Executive Fire Commissioner Edsel Jenkins, appointed to the job by Duggan in April 2014, had been a city firefighter for nearly 30 years. Last month, he got tearful at the announcement of a new partnership between Detroit and its schools, a two-year pilot project to train high school students to become firefighters and paramedics in the city by the time they graduate.
“I started in this department as a firefighter at the age of 19, and am grateful that I had the privilege of serving as its executive commissioner,” Jenkins said in a statement released by Duggan's office. “I look forward to spending more time with my family.”
No reason for the retirement decision was given. Jenkins, 57, couldn't be reached for comment. The announcement came just weeks before the citywide Angels Night mobilization against arson.
Duggan thanked Jenkins for his decades of service to the fire department and the citizens of Detroit.