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D.C. Fire Department Inventory List Overstated

By: Patrick Madden // March 18, 2013
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At least two incidents in the last few weeks have raised questions about the availability of D.C.'s fleet of response vehicles.
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At least two incidents in the last few weeks have raised questions about the availability of D.C.'s fleet of response vehicles.

Washington's fire department has incorrectly listed equipment ready for service, according to fire union officials.

Union officials say a report given to a D.C. Council committee last month listed six pumpers and other vehicles not available, including one in a Wisconsin junkyard.

Fire Chief Kenneth B. Ellerbe said a deputy fire chief used an old fleet schedule for the report. Council member Tommy Wells said he wants to know how many times the department has provided inaccurate information and scheduled a hearing March 28.

The department has been criticized recently for a lack of equipment. An injured police officer had to be taken to a hospital by an ambulance from Prince George's County and a stroke victim was transported by fire truck because the nearest ambulance was seven miles away.

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