Don't ask for help from the fire department in DC

[Just Plain Ruff]

At least not from this fire station - this is completely disgusting and if it really happened like it's being reported then every firefighter at that station should be immediately fired and their license revoked.

http://www.kctv5.com/story/24590456/man-dies-after-firefighters-wont-cross-street-to-help-daughter-says

(CNN) - Marie Mills held her 77-year-old father, who had collapsed outside in a Washington street. She screamed for help.

A passerby rushed across the street to bang on the door of a fire station, knowing that firefighters are trained to provide emergency medical help.

But they wouldn't leave the station.

The same thing happened when two more people tried to summon the firefighters for assistance, Mills says.

"We looked across the street at the fire station. There was a firefighter that was actually standing against the fire apparatus," she told CNN affiliate WJLA. "Everybody started trying to wave him over." But the firefighter said he had to be dispatched first.

"I even ran to the curb and said, 'Are you going to help me or let my dad die?'" said Mills.

Later, after an ambulance finally arrived, Cecil Mills died at a hospital. He had suffered an apparent heart attack.

An investigation is under way and, so far, no officials are publicly challenging Mills' version of events.

"It's an outrage," Washington Mayor Vincent Gray said at a news conference. "I was absolutely furious."

He said he apologized to Marie Mills for "what appeared to be dereliction," DC news station WTTG reported.

"Those who failed to respond as they should -- they will be held accountable, period," Gray vowed.

In comments Thursday to CNN, Gray said he has "taken a lot of time with it."

The investigation is "being done as rapidly as we possibly can," he added.

The D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department told CNN it is investigating the incident, which took place along the 1300 block of Rhode Island Avenue on Saturday.

"Our duty is to respond to all requests for emergency assistance. If it is determined that proper protocols were not followed at the conclusion of our investigation, then appropriate action will be taken," spokesman Tim Wilson said.

The protocol is in question because, according to the Mills family, those who asked for help at the fire station were told to call 911.

Calls to 911 were placed, but a mix-up with the address delayed an ambulance, said Washington Council member Tommy Wells.

"Two things happened," he said. "One was that no one came out of the fire house to help this gentleman. The other is the ambulance that was dispatched was dispatched to the wrong place. This was a number of fiascos."

Paul Quander, deputy mayor for public safety, said a "very new, probationary employee" was at the facility. The employee's first response should be "to ask a senior person, and we believe that was done," he said, according to WTTG. "The question now is what did that senior person say? What did that person do? Did they follow protocols and procedures?"

There are no protocols that would prevent fire personnel from helping those in need, Quander told CNN Thursday. "These are people who run into burning buildings. They work in the most hazardous conditions imaginable.

"They cross the streets, they cross highways to get to people. It is understood. It is common. This is why it is so troubling that we did not take the appropriate action in this case. It's right across the street."

"It's hard to get your arms around" the idea that this took place, he added.

Lt. Kellene Davis was the officer in charge of the station at the time of the incident, WTTG reports.

Davis did not respond immediately to an e-mail Thursday from CNN, and a call to a phone number listed for her was not answered.

Also Thursday, a spokesman said that two employees of the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department have been suspended with pay in the wake of the incident.

"I cannot say who they were because it is a personnel matter and an ongoing investigation, but I can tell you that neither of them was the probationary firefighter involved in the incident," said Keith St. Clair, with the office of the deputy mayor for public safety.

The employees were working at the station, he said.

Cecil Mills, a lifelong Washington resident, worked for the Department of Parks and Recreation.

His daughter, in mourning, had kind words for the mayor's handling of the matter. "I appreciate how seriously he is taking this because it never should have happened," she told WTTG.

Marie Mills wasn't immediately available Thursday when contacted by CNN.

The firefighters' union said the incident simply should never have happened.

"We need to find out why it did occur and make sure it never happens again," said Ed Smith, president of the DC Fire Fighters Association, in a statement reported by WTTG.

He added that on the union's behalf, "I offer Mr. Mills' family a sincere apology."

[scubanurse]

If you want to look at a dysfunction department, look no further. I have a few good friends who work for DCFD and they are outraged by this. My parents have a condo in DC too and I've told them to just drive to WHC instead of calling 911 unless it's really catastrophic. It's just sad and pathetic in my opinion.

[island emt]

It now appears that the LT ms Davis has submitted her retirement papers.

The local press are having a field day with this. Just what DC fire doesn't need , more bad press and public outrage.

[Just Plain Ruff]

It now appears that the LT ms Davis has submitted her retirement papers.

The local press are having a field day with this. Just what DC fire doesn't need , more bad press and public outrage.

And they are letting her retire, no discipline no issues, just letting her ride off into the sunset. That's one way to get rid of the trash I guess. But she cannot and will not get away from the lawsuit that will be filed.

[island emt]

I'm thinking that more heads will roll over this incident.

At least a couple more supervisors up the food chain to placate the public.

[Caduceus]

Why does the capitol of our country have such a poor excuse for a fire department? Shouldn't they strive to be the best? It sounds like they're just lazy.

[scubanurse]

They're a pretty decent fire department, just don't ask them to do anything medical.

[FormerEMSLT297]

Do not paint the entire department as uncaring unprofiessional ____________based on the actions of one person or based on one fouled up response. DC Fire/EMS has some of the best and most dedicated personnel in the country. Unfortunately for them, they have some managers or supervisors who make bad decisions..... but i caution everyone to wait for the dust to clear and read the entire final report on this incident before passing judgement.

Remember, right now, the only story we know is the one being put out there by the NEWS MEDIA, in an attempt to boost their ratings and sell more papers, TV Commercials etc.

Patience is thename of the game, but i will admit it does not read very well if what is being put out in open source is true.

[island emt]

It is hard not to believe multiple people with the same claims and witnessed by many, all pointing to the same lack of response from the Fire employees after being repeatedly asked for help.

This is not the first time DCfire had dropped the ball and let people die.

Their reputation is right up there with philly fire

[scubanurse]

Their EMS couldn't respond to an injured DCPD officer, they can't cover their areas that they need to. I have several friends in the DCFD and I know they are not all bad, but even they agree, the system is very flawed.