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Detroit fire commissioner submits resignation

Donald Austin and the department have battled issues with response times, equipment conditions and dwindling fire houses

Detroit Free Press

DETROIT — Officials today confirmed that Detroit Fire Commissioner Donald Austin is stepping down at the end of the year.

According to a news release, Austin’s resignation is effective Dec. 31. Austin took over as fire commissioner in 2011.

“Commissioner Austin provided much needed leadership to the department during his tenure,” Bing is quoted saying. “We are grateful for his contributions and improvements he has made to the Fire Department and EMS Division and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Austin spent years working for the Los Angeles Fire Department before coming back to Detroit, where he graduated high school.

“To the citizens of Detroit, there is great promise ahead for this community and Fire Department,” Austin is quoted saying in the news release. “I am encouraged by the commitment of members of the Department, unions and private, public and business sectors who continue to demonstrate their support for an efficient and effective public safety service model for Detroiters.”

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