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Fred Wheeler vs. Charlie Leduff: You will find the previous rounds here, here, here & here
When Fred Wheeler was acting commissioner, and again when Donald Austin was named commissioner of the Detroit Fire Department, I outlined some suggestions on how to handle their Charlie Leduff problem. I sensed then, and it has been confirmed by the video above, that no one in charge reads STATter911.com, or, if they do, they don’t believe I know a thing after 38 years covering the fire service as a radio and TV reporter.
Deputy Commissioner Wheeler, who has been chased after by WJBK-TV’s Leduff for quite some time, has looked foolish after many of these ambush interviews. None more so than what you will witness above when he slaps the microphone out of Leduff’s hands and apparently lets loose with a couple of expletives (unless Leduff is just taking after Jimmy Kimmel and doing some unnecessary censorship). Fred Wheeler then opens up his tablet and appears to start taking video of Charlie Leduff.
Leduff was trying to get some answers after touring a number of city fire stations and putting on quite a show as he encountered what he described rather graphically, and with a lot of coughing and gagging, numerous cases of raw sewage inside and coming from the firehouses. The reporter/advocate contrasts this with the city spending $60 million on a new public safety building.
If you are in a position of authority such as Wheeler, please make sure you don’t let this happen to you. In the first place, giving the reporter the chance to make you look weak and on the run as you avoid the camera, means you’ve already lost this battle. And if you make it worse by letting your ego and anger take over as Wheeler did, you’ve probably lost the war.
Deputy Fire Commissioner Fred Wheeler erupts in anger in front of Fox 2 cameras. All of this happening the same day Detroit breaks ground on the new headquarters for police and fire. While the top brass get new diggs, firefighters are forced to work in filthy conditions.
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Also on STATter911 …
- Mobile sign in Detroit says TV’s Charlie LeDuff lied. Former Dep. Fire Commissioner Fred Wheeler’s name on press release announcing campaign.against reporter. – October 25, 2012
- Update: Detroit’s mayor investigates Deputy Fire Commissioner Fred Wheeler’s confrontation with TV reporter Charlie Leduff. – May 31, 2012
- UPDATE: Detroit Deputy Fire Commissioner Fred Wheeler gone. Mayor Dave Bing swings axe after confrontation with reporter Charlie LeDuff. Commisioner Austin answers the questions Wheeler wouldn’t. – May 31, 2012
- Detroit TV reporter says state now investigating firehouses. Charlie LeDuff sounds off on what real story is after confrontation with fire official. – June 2, 2012
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Great Job Charlie Le Duff. Keep it up.
$60 Million Dollars (and unknown potential cost over runs)for a new “Tas Mahal” Administration Building is about the worst expenditures that can be made at a time when these Fire Stations are literal Health Hazards to the firefighters and staffing reductions are occuring.
Rather reduce the size of the building and use these offsets to spend on the stations.
Unfortunately, the optimism that was evident when Commissinor Donald Austion took charge of the DFD has faced reality and it seems as though thnigs are stuck on fly paper.
I love that Leduff isn’t afraid to step on the big wigs toes. The reporters in my area live by the “hear no evil see no evil” when it comes to city officials.
Gotta love Charlie.
I know a lot here don’t like Leduff, but you have to admit, at this point who else could bring the point across better? It seems Fred Wheeler never took a class on dealing with the media or the public in general! Bet he’s never even been to a fire scene in his life. I remember when Detroit got the new LA chief and many people said “it’s good news, things will improve!”, looks like he’s MIA yet again.
typical management
Didn’t you hear Detroit is one of the great modern day American success stories. Jobs are coming back, crime has been cut in half,students in the public school system are the highest rated, real estate values have skyrocketed to new heights and the population is increasing. Detroit has too much tax money coming in so why even worry about these isolated minor firehouse problems. All is well, Charlie needs to tell the truth and stop confusing reality with the confused,uninformed tard known as Fred Wheeler.
Yes, it is. Let’s see now.
Jobs coming back: To demo all the abandoned houses.
Crime cut in half: Criminals are in prison and the rest have moved out with the law-abiding folks.
Schools: Ummmm, yes, highest rated in Detroit school system. (Had to think on that one)
Real estate values: Absolutely, because of the talk of turning large tracts into farmland.
Population: OK, I’m stuck on this one. I can’t figure a way to spin this aspect. Wait, I read a story about the fox population increasing because all the wide open land in Detroit. (pulled that one out of the fire at the last minute)
Tax money: Yes, because the idiots that lead this state keep throwing good money after bad. All to “save” the heart of Michigan. BS
I feel for the rank and file, I really do. But the idiots that keep electing these bigger idiots are just as much to blame as the bigger idiots who fail the citizens.
Just a microcosm of what our country will become if we keep going down the same path we are.
I wish this guy would come to dc and uncover all the BS..He is great. keep it up.
IS THAT SH*T FOR REAL
Obviously, yes.
In both senses of the word.
Let’s see if Commissioner Austin reprimands his Deputy Commissioner, or better yet, fires him. And if the conditions are as bad as Charlie is saying, and it is quite obvious they are, what is the Commissioner and City going to do about it? This is a disgrace. Why is there so much incompetent management in these urban departments?
I have no doubt that the conditions at the Detroit firehouses are every bit as appalling as is being shown here, and I have no doubt that the Members of Local 344 are enduring some awful things that none of us should face in our stations or facilities.
But I have always, and and still do, question Charlie LeDuff’s motives. To me, the style (not the subject matter) of his reporting belongs on Entertainment Tonight, not the evening news at a major market affiliate. The way he comes off doesn’t match his bio, which shows he was a staff writer at the New York Times for 12 years and has won a Pulitzer for his work.
Fred Wheeler and the rest of the DFD administration are acting like a bunch of jobbers, and they deserve everything they get out of a story like this going viral. And Dave, you’re spot on that Wheeler et. al. are putting on a clinic on how not to act as a public employee. For me, all I gotta do is watch the video and say to myself, “…okay, everything Wheeler did, do the opposite, except recording LeDuff. Turnabout’s fair play…”
But the story would probably gain more national traction if Charlie LeDuff worried more about getting some results out of the story rather than getting cheap heat from a sensationalistic confrontation.
I wish the brothers and sisters in Detroit well- it’s a long road ahead…
It seems every time the officials of DFD and their bosses bring much more attention to Leduff’s stories by the way they react to them. They have helped create and further enhance Leduff’s image. But they just don’t see it that way, do they?
Statter
It would have been better for him to have just said nothing and ignored Leduff. The way he reacted to Leduff is typical of the arrogance associated with an absence of accountability. I don’t believe this to be an ambush. This deputy should be fully informed and ready to answer the SIMPLE questions Leduff asked, no matter the time of day or location That’s his job. To the KIC’s, if you happen to hold the same rank or responsibility, I would hope for your sake that your future performance will be better.
I know quite a few of the Detroit guys, and found it surprising to hear that they hate Leduff. You would think they would appreciate that he is drawing attention to their problems, but it isn’t only the brass he likes to ambush. He shows up at the firehouses at odd hours, attempts to sneak in, and has been thrown out of the firehouses for his tactics.
There is no “Leduff problem” there is definitely a mismangement problem. 60 Million on an admin building. Serious staffing issues and you’re trying to help them with their Leduff Problem”? 99% of the news is sensationalized garbage. Fox News, CNN cmon!! Does it really matter how the info gets out as long as it does?
Dave are you serious? First off can anyone believe that they didn’t listen Dave Statter? For the love of god don’t they know who you are? Thats what you open the story with, really? You are making this about you? Also why are you helping them with their “Charlie Leduff problem”? Why don’t you help them with their budget problem? You don’t see it as a little bit of an issue that guys are working in urine and feces? Or that they are so understaffed and using gear that is surely not NFPA compliant at this point? Sure Charlie’s interviews and reporting are not your typical style but he gets the story out there and he is trying. An interview where the people are handed the questions two days earlier so they can come up with a BS political back talk answer does nothing for anyone except the DEP. Commish. Ambush reporting, get over yourself.You should be ashamed of yourself. SUre its sensational but look at the world of the news, you should be aware of this, its all about getting the viewers to watch and keep them watching. It is unreal to me that you focus on helping the admins not get ambushed and not the problems in the firehouses. You have lost all my respect from this piece. Say goodbye to a reader.
jimmyjack2310,
First of all, I am so sorry you are not going to read this reply since you already said your goodbyes. My loss. But what can you expect from a guy who titles his blog with his own name? You mean it isn’t about me? Why didn’t anyone tell me this earlier? I have gone five years thinking it was. I’ve been so stupid for so long.
jimmyjack2310 (oh, I forgot, you won’t see this), do you really think, as you asked, I am making this about me? Or is it the least bit possible that I am making fun of myself and, at the same time, trying to point out that this is the really simple crap that Detroit’s leadership and leaders everywhere just get wrong?
So, the answer to your very first question is no. And I am sorry that I didn’t make it clearer to you in what I wrote.
Whether you think so or not, one of the few things I am certain about is that Charlie Leduff IS a problem for the leadership of DFD and the administration of Mayor Bing. Why? Because they don’t know how to deal with this very unusual and dogged TV reporter whose speciality is advocacy journalism. Instead they continually undermine themselves.
Long ago they should have opened the books to Leduff and let it all out. Start with a more level playing field by being clear that these are the problems and the hand we have been dealt. As new problems arrived they should have realized that Leduff is going to find out anyway and the better tactic is for the city to put out the bad news themselves and explain how they hope to deal with it, considering the resources available.
The bad news is made much, much worse by giving Leduff the upper hand, allowing him to do ambush interviews and giving the appearance that he is sneaking into firehouses to give the public a peak of what the city is hiding from the citizens. Wheeler, Austin and Bing should be giving Leduff tours of those firehouses, raw sewage and all. Those leaders should be the ones gagging on camera saying our firefighters shouldn’t have to work in a place like this and letting the public in on the reality of what the leaders can do to change it.
We have heard for so long how corrupt the government of the City of Detroit is. If the leaders have any interest in wanting the public to believe otherwise they have to stop doing stupid crap like Fred Wheeler just did.
But I digress. The real issue is why they don’t read STATter911.com every day and take every word as gospel. Now I’m back on track.
Statter
Now that you’ve got a vacancy, Dave, I might have a reader that can fill that slot.
You’re still offering a free subscription to your blog after five referrals, right?
The referrals are the key.
I have no doubt that the conditions in the firehouses exist as shown. But, I have a feeling the real story is not the workinging conditions of the members, rather, the obvious pomposity of DFD leadership. If this guys is willing to act like an azz towards a broadcast reporter with his cameraman, how does he treat the members of the department? It just shows an immature impulsive personality with no thought placed on the consequences of his actions. Maybe that comes from never having to answer for your actions?
AWESOME STORY BY LEDUFF!!! HOW COULD ANYONE HATE OR QUESTION HIS MOTIVES?? HE IS POINTING OUT SOME SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS THAT ARE NOT GETTING RESOLVED.
IF THIS WERE ANYWHERE ELSE OTHER THAN DETROIT, MY GUESS IS STUFF WOULD BE GETTING FIXED
SO LETS SEE…. $60 million on a new HQ. Mean while didnt the city just come after police and fire for even more give backs and concessions?? Not only that, anyone with have a brain and decent math skills could in fact get DFD some new equipment, repairs etc.
Sorry DFD brothers that you have to endure all this BS. I was hoping our Cali brother from LAFD would make some decent change for you..
I dont believe any of us here would run our household like this!
hmm, I see a few problems here.
why is the union not complaining about the unhealthy conditions. They can complain to OSHA, Public Health, Environmental agency, etc. about the unsanitary working conditions (maybe get the buildings condemned or at least posted as unhabitable until the plumbing gets fixed), dumping of raw sewage (I am sure there is a public health or environmental issue to address there!) Get state and Federal agencies involved if the local government agencies won’t. As for the Fire Commissioner and his staff, they just work with the press to illuminate the problems even if it does rub raw some politicos who would prefer that the problems remain hidden. Denying that an obvious problem exists simply undermines the effectiveness and reputation of those appointed positions and the politicians. Elections are coming up?
And if I was the fire commissioner, that deputy would be looking for another job- it was reprehensible that a public official acted in such a manner. He is obviously familiar with the reporter so nothing should have been a surprise to him.
Finally, I wonder why no one has considered filing assault charges against the deputy commissioner. He did it- it’s on video as he cursed and acted in a disorderly manner. He has no defense for his actions. I guarantee you that doing something like that would get the attention of some decision makers- no hiding the real problems any more.
LeDuff’s sensationalism works only because of the insanity of what has happened in what is now a 3rd World City. This kind of journalism would not work in too many other places. Call it what you want, ie., ambush tactics, but he is fantastic in bringing the failure of that Government to light, IMO.
And the city leaders help Leduff write his stories each time.
Statter
Am I supposed to believe that water obviously dumping out of the tank fill overflow and water dripping from the exterior of the truck and tailboard is a leaking fire truck?
It does bring up a good point about Detroit spending $60M on new Headquarters while they are such dire straights and fighting off a emergency city manager.
I used to have an issue with the way Leduff worked. Over the last year or so, that’s changed, because this is how things CAN change. Keep it up.
Yes… feel free to come to my engine house and you can see both the engine and truck leak water out of all kinds of places
Very strange Mr Statter.
I am sure the union has already filed many complaints to the appropriate authorities.
But there only some many violations they can write before they realize nothing will be done.
That whole city is messed up from the top down. Maybe it is a good idea the state takes over and manages the cities finances.
Didnt the city just agree to start turning off street lights and such to save the city money?? That my friends is desperation. Someone should have asked questions long ago when they approved the $60million for a new HQ!! WTH, really?? The city is financially broke, cant pay its bills, its FF’s or Cops, broken equipment, etc. But we are getting a new HQ! SWEET
If you listen to DFD, every night, hour after hour, they have companies working. They run 5 heavy rescues. They send only three engines, one truck and a rescue on a fire. They almost never upgrade the response for additional companies. Many nights they run out of rescues to send on “box alarms” as they call them. The don’t backfill with another company. They don’t add RIT units. They just designate one of the companies on the box. They don’t have safety officers. They just designate one of the company officers on the box as the SO. Most fires the BC leaves once the fire is knocked down and they leave IC with one of the company officers. They just do without. It’s really incredible to listen to. Often the truck company has no working aerial. Many times the BC will report no working fans in the entire battalion. Detroit runs no medical calls in support their EMS division. It wouldn’t be possible. When I was the guy on the other side of the local “Charlie’s mike”, I hated the guy. I mean hated. But in this case, when you hear what DFD has to cope with in that failed city, day after day, I cheer when I see this guy doing what he does. Those city officials need to be hammered on a daily basis. They are, to quote “The Wire”, a failed administration of a broke-ass city. I hate to say it but the DFD needs to be cut in half and let the vacant “dwellings” just burn before somebody else gets killed for nothing.
I bet Charlie planted that turd in the drain so it would pop out when the camera was rolling – just to make DC Wheeler look bad!
Poor Fred – time to update that resume pal!
Dave, you’re doing a good job with stories like this, but Charlie LeDuff is doing an Awesome job. It’s a shame that Detroit firefighters have to work in those sickening, disgusting conditions. The taxpayers have a right to know about this stuff,’ambush’ reporting or no. And then you’ve got incompetent fools like this guy Fred Wheeler in charge…is it any wonder? Are clowns like him in upper management positions a symptom or cause of the problem? How does Wheeler still have a job after this? I saw battery, disorderly conduct, conduct unbecoming, Charlie LeDuff should file assault charges.
All I do is post what everyone else does these days. Charlie sure is something.
I understand the Deputy getting upset. No bias to that reporter. Same circus, different clowns…..
There is some major issues here but what I got the biggest kick out of is when he took his IPAD out and starting videoing him….LOL If I was his boss,id fire him immediately over being such an azz in public like that (videoing and slapping the mic)!! I wouldnt need any of proof that he is just a paycheck.
There are a few things you can count on in Detroit, corrupt politicians, taxes and Charlie Leduff making the politicians look bad.
The issues in Detroit are deep seeded. Wheeler’s boss will turn the same blind eye towards the problems…..as will his boss…and thier boss…and so on.
The corruption and motivation behind the corruption is where the real story begins. Quite a web of deceipt for a very long time in that city.
It’s quite similar to penetrating organized crime. Too many layers of corruption to ever find a single “smoking gun” to all the issues.
If you want to research some of what I write of, Google Kwame Kilpatrick and block out about 2 days worth of reading time.
Wish more news reporters were like that, not only does it make for entertaining tv but it also brings a lot of serious questions up that need to be answered.
Dave, you forgot to tag this post with the words “gag,” “wretch,” and “spit.”
Dave – for those who don’t read this blog regularly or for those who are sarcasm impaired you should put a warning prior to any sarcasm, or potential sarcasm. Something along the lines of [Sarcasm Alert – the following words are intended to be sarcastic, and at least for the few minutes after I wrote them I found them slightly humorous]. That way the readers can possibly understand it when you are attempting to be sarcastic. I am guess that I needed to put a sarcasm warning on this post. I think you and Charlie should do a tag team presentation in Baltimore.
Maybe Detroit is trying to go all neo Roman and bring back vomitoriums, starting at the local fire station.
I have always felt sorry for the members of Detroit for the conditions which they face every day, not only from the heavy fire load and workers, but also for the so call leadership or lack thereof from HQ.
A deputy fire commissioner, notice I didn’t use capitals to show respect, to act this way on TV and his fat head so big it would cover the full moon next week. In the very least this turkey should be fired!
He can and should be charge with assault from the TV station and reporter. He acted like a 5 year old child. How he worked his way up to that position, God only knows.
The fire house sin Detroit has been deplorable for years. The city or fire department could care less about the living conditions the members have to face every day in the field. They are treated like red headed step children at the best.
Companies are due to be cut in July, the EMS will be dissolved and turn over to a third service. This whole city has gone down the tubes.