Mayor Hails Confirmation of John Fruetel as New Fire Chief
Mayor, Council members praise Fruetel’s readiness, skill in emergency response
January 27, 2012 (MINNEAPOLIS) — Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, along with City Council President Barbara Johnson and City Council Member Don Samuels, hailed the City Council’s unanimous confirmation today of John Fruetel (FREE-tel) to be the next Chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department.
Mayor Rybak said, “John Fruetel is the right leader for this department at the right time. A career Minneapolis firefighter, he will step in immediately with the strength of purpose and ability to lead for which he is well known. There is also no one more skilled in emergency response: from the collapse of the 35W bridge to the 2011 tornado in North Minneapolis, Chief Fruetel has been there for the residents of Minneapolis in tough times.”
Newly-confirmed Chief Fruetel said, “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. 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.”
Council President Barbara Johnson said, “I worked closely with Chief Fruetel during the 2011 tornado that cut through the heart of the neighborhoods I represent. His work in effectively organizing the recovery, including our massive volunteer efforts, was nothing short of remarkable. He is an outstanding choice to lead our Fire Department.”
Council Member Don Samuels, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Health Committee, said, “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. I expect that he will be a hands-on leader who will bring great stability and a morale boost to the department.”
John Fruetel began his career as a firefighter with the Minneapolis Fire Department in the 1979. He was promoted to captain in 1986 and 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, Fruetel moved to the City’s Emergency Management Division, where he was responsible for the implementation and coordination of the Training Needs Assessment Program.
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Published Jan. 30, 2012