Results tagged “dcfd”

The Washington Times reports that D.C. Fire/EMS and WMATA aren't happy with each other in terms of how the two agencies communicated the details of yesterday's crash:

Fire officials stated bluntly Monday night that Metro's original description of the accident understated its magnitude, and it was only when the first rescuers arrived at the scene that the sort of help needed was finally summoned.

Continue reading "FEMS, Metro Trade Barbs on Crash Communication"

D.C. Fire/EMS is reporting that four people were shot just before 5 p.m. near North Capitol and R Streets NW, one in critical condition and the rest with serious injuries, all being transported to the hospital. The incident is the second shooting to happen in the same vicinity since this morning. An unidentified individual was shot in the ankle before 10 a.m. this morning near 1st Street NW and Florida Ave. NW.

An AP story is making the rounds of the broadcast outlets (WTOP has some of its own reporting as well) about how D.C. firefighters rescued a bunch of baby ducklings from a storm drain near 16th and U Streets NW early this morning. Neighbors called the fire department after the mama duck alerted them to her babies' predicament with her incessant honking. From WTOP: "Three firefighters from Engine Company No. 9, which is right next to the alley, went into action, pulling off the drain's cover and getting out a bucket. One held the legs of Sgt. Michael Engels as he reached down and scooped the swimming ducks into the bucket." Pretty cute. All the little ducklings are safe and sound and have been turned over to animal control.

D.C. Wire tips us off to a new Twitter feed and Facebook page for the D.C. Fire Department and EMS services. In a nod to the Washington Post city desk's sometimes strained relationship to blogging, they don't actually provide you with direct links to the new features, instead just suggesting that you search for them yourself, so here you go: twitter.com/dcfireems and Dc Fireems on Facebook. DC Fire/EMS spokesperson Alan Etter told D.C. Wire he plans to post breaking news and other official department updates on the Twitter feed, which today has already garnered entertaining results. To wit:

One more update on Firetruckgate from the Examiner's Michael Neibauer to end out the week. D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles is now defending the mysterious donation of an older D.C. government firetruck and ambulance to a resort town in the Dominican Republic, saying that the vehicles were properly declared surplus by the Office of Contracting and Procurement and lawfully donated to non-profit Peaceaholics, the group that arranged the donation. Even so, both vehicles have since been returned to the District, to "assure that this transaction raises no further public concerns." Fantastic quote from Ward 3 Council member Mary Cheh: "If all rules and regulations were followed, we need new rules and regulations."

A fire broke out in a third-floor residence in the Park Towers apartment building at 2440 16th Street NW. The District of Columbia Fire Department was able to put out the fire by approximately 3 p.m. this afternoon, before it spread to any other units. No one was injured. One DCFD firefighter said that the burned unit was rendered "untenable." A DCFD investigator had not yet determined the cause of the fire by the time the story went to print. No smoke or other evidence of the fire was visible from the street, though one window appeared to be shattered and sealed over with plastic. Traffic on 16th Street piled up as fire engines and squad cars blocked off the southbound lane between Euclid and Florida along Malcolm X Park.

An update on this morning's fire in the 1000 block of F Street NW, from the Post. Five firefighters who responded to the two-alarm blaze required medical care after the fire was contained: one broke his hand, and four others were treated for medical issues related to exertion, including elevated blood pressure. It also looks like the building in question was the one that housed that D.C.-themed souvenir shop, though the fire began in a vacant part of the building. The souvenir shop sustained heavy water damage. No civilian injuries have been reported. Roads should be cleared for the evening commute.

Last night WJLA went with a story about how 28 percent of the District's firefighters failed to pass the national registry exam for EMTs. The city's emergency responders are now required to pass the national test under an agreement reached between the District and the family of late New York Times reporter David Rosenbaum, who died due to EMT negligence. I realize that in post-Sept. 11 America, all firefighters are heroes and you're not supposed to say anything bad about them ever, but I'm about to break that rule. If you want to read some seriously whiny, high school-style complaining, read the story. Grown men who fight fires for a living took the time to tell a local TV news station that they feel this nationally accepted test wasn't fair and that the department didn't help them prepare enough. Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth Crosswhite has the most reasonable reaction: "You have to take a look at yourself in the mirror and say did I do everything that I could do to pass this test? Did I study on my own? Did I ask for help?" The department allows those who failed the exam three more chances, so buckle down and study, guys.

Both Fox 5 and WJLA picked up a story about a D.C. fire captain who stands accused of raping a friend of his daughter. Court documents show that a 23-year-old woman has filed rape charges against Capt. Tony Sneed, a 20-year veteran of the DCFD. The victim alleges that she passed out at a party at Sneed's daughter's house wearing a T-shirt and shorts, and woke up wearing only the T-shirt. Much of the evidence against Sneed appears to be text messages sent back and forth between him and his accuser: the woman texted him to ask why she was "so sore 'down there,'" and Sneed responded with, "I remember massaging your body trying to get you to relax a little. Maybe I got a little carried away." Sneed has been suspended with pay until the court case is resolved.