Sept. 25--The Detroit Fire Department's chief of fire operations, appointed this summer, was removed from that position, the head of the department said Saturday.
Executive Fire Commissioner Donald Austin said he removed Derrick Grochowski from the position Friday. He had appointed him in July and said Grochowski will return to being a battalion chief and plans to retire in January.
Attempts to reach Grochowski on Saturday were unsuccessful.
The department was criticized earlier this month when the first rig to respond to a Cooper Street house fire in which a child was trapped was a small pumper truck that was out of commission. It couldn't pump water and was being used just to transport firefighters to that scene.
Officials said an engine and ladder truck arrived shortly after the small pumper. Three-year-old Ivory Ivey was rescued from the Sept. 13 blaze, but died later from smoke inhalation.
Austin said Saturday that Grochowski's removal was not directly related to the Cooper Street fire, but he acknowledged that the decision to not fix the truck to pump water from that rig "existed within his sphere of control."
He said the rig is back in operation, "as it should have been all along."
Austin said Grochowski is a good and dedicated firefighter. He said he wants appointees, though, who can help him bring about change, especially during challenging financial times.
"Everyone that I appoint," he said, "I will un-appoint if they're not getting the job done."
Austin, who was appointed in May, said he asked for a review of department policies.
No one has been named to replace Grochowski yet. Austin said potential candidates will be able to apply for the position.
Contact Gina Damron: 313-223-4526 or [email protected]
