Who is head of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department?
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In June 2015, Jullette M. Saussy was named the medical director of DC Fire and EMS. On January 29, 2016, she announced her resignation from that position in a letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser. In her letter, she called the department's culture "highly toxic to the delivery of any semblance of quality pre-hospital medical care."
District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
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The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, (also known as DC FEMS, FEMS, DCFD, DC Fire, or Fire & EMS), established July 1, 1884, provides fire protection and emergency medical service for the District of Columbia, in the United States. An organ of the devolved district government, Fire & EMS is responsible for providing fire suppression, ambulance service and hazardous materials containment for the federal district.
District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
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Known today by a number of acronyms — DC FEMS, FEMS, DCFD, DC Fire, or Fire & EMS — DCFEMS remains the municipal fire department and emergency medical service (EMS) agency for District of Columbia, providing fire suppression, ambulance service, and hazardous materials containment.
History of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
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The history of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, which began in 1884, has been marked in recent years by various controversies and scandals.
History of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
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The plan drew national attention as well. An emergency medical services director from Connecticut said that redeployment was common, but downgrading the quality of care at night was "unusual". Paul Werfel, director of the paramedic program at the University Medical Center at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, said the plan gave commuters better care but provided less to those who lived in the District of Columbia. The severity of the calls should be taken into account, Werfel said, not just the number of calls. A nationwide survey of medical professionals conducted by the "Washington Times" said Ellerbe's plan would be unique. A DCFEMS spokesperson said the department treated all calls as equally serious. Don Lundy, president-elect of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, praised Ellerbe for his innovativeness, but questioned whether the District should rely on fire engines to transport a single paramedic or EMT. Lundy suggested providing paramedics and EMTs with their own, far less costly vehicles.
History of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
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While campaigning for mayor in 2006, Adrian Fenty pledged to undo the merger of fire and emergency medical services despite these improvements. But Fenty reneged on his promise, and the merger remained intact throughout his tenure as mayor of the District of Columbia (2007 to 2011).
History of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
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The EMS division was rocked by leadership scandals in 2004 and 2005. In August 2004, D.C. emergency medical services officials breached confidential patient records by taking them home, a blatant violation of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. EMS Medical Director Dr. Fernando Daniels III was terminated, and city investigators said that many or most of the EMS division's 35 managers could be fired. Daniels' successor, Dr. Clifford H. Turen, resigned on March 1, 2005, after it was learned that he had not yet received a license to practice medicine in the District of Columbia and his speciality was not in emergency medicine.
History of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
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By 2000, the D.C. fire and emergency medical services (EMS) departments had 33 engine companies, 16 truck companies, three rescue squad trucks, and two fire boats. At least five vehicles a day were tied up serving the President of the United States. The department had a $140 million budget and 1,900 employees—which included about 1,400 firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
History of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
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On July 10, 2000, Ronnie Few took over as Fire Chief at DCFEMS, replacing Don Edwards, who was fired after it was found that he lived in Maryland despite a D.C. law that required cabinet-level city officials to live in the District of Columbia. Few was hired over Acting Fire Chief Thomas N. Tippett, a highly popular career firefighter and former firefighter's union official. Few was the fourth fire chief or acting fire chief in 18 months.
History of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
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DCFEMS was profiled in the fifth episode of Discovery Channel's "Nerve Center", which first aired in June 2011. The episode followed the department's activities on October 30–31, 2010, which included providing emergency medical services at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear and the 35th Marine Corps Marathon.
History of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
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Ellerbe retaliated or allegedly retaliated several times against department employees who criticized him.
History of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department