Comments on: District of Columbia & Sarasota County signed formal agreement to allow new fire chief to remain DC employee. Arrangement can provide Kenneth Ellerbe with enhanced retirement benefits.

By: Firefighter “AIG” Problem | Firegeezer

Firefighter “AIG” Problem | Firegeezer — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:43:59 +0000

[...] The issue with DCFD Chief Ellerbe on leave with out pay while working as the Sarasota County fire chief is an example of the nuances. When Ellerbe started with the District of Columbia fire department he needed to complete BOTH 25 years of service AND be 50 years old to start receiving a pension. Other DCFD members just need to achieve 25 years of time-in-service. Dave Statter, STATter911, provides the details HERE. [...]

By: Yet another

Yet another — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:05:06 +0000

So, I’m betting that Ellerbe, being a sharp cat, isn’t getting credit for service, only biding his time to 50.

By: amazed

amazed — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:36:40 +0000

So Dave, I take it that the poster who you asked to clarify your mistakes didn’t answer. I doubt he ever will cause he can’t!

By: Amazed

Amazed — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:42:55 +0000

The only two approved LWOP categories mentioned in DC Code for firefighters which also apply creditable service towards retirement are for military duty and to work in the union. LWOP as written in the OB states nothing other than a special report must be sent to the FC. So you see, LWOP for any amount of time is not gooed enough. It has to also count towards “creditable service.” To anonymous who agrees with the posts that call me ignorant (although I think you probably wrote all of them), why don’t you and/or your alter egos stop attacking anyone who thinks this stinks and simply tell us where to find the laws that everyone but you are ignorant of. As I said on the other comments, you won’t because you can’t – they don’t exist. They are not in the Retirement Plan, DC Code or the DPM. So, the only way to make sure this is on the up and up is hope that Council or someone other than the fire department (and you) takes a look at it.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:14:13 +0000

That doesn’t explain why they felt the need to use a form 69, and it doesn’t explain why they submitted false information. The DPM does not allow you to break the law. As you know the perjury warning is on almost all gov’t applications. Read the entry above, it is quoted from the form.

By: DCOIC

DCOIC — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:53:02 +0000

It’s pretty easy. Article 10 page 1 Section 1

Any member desiring permission for a leave of abscence without pay will execute the DC Form 1199, requesting leave without pay and a submission of a special report addressed to the Fire/EMS Chief.

The only thing that would be illegal is if he was getting credit for working this year.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:20:04 +0000

Dave,
You have the facts straight, but i have another fact for you. When the DC Standard Form 69 signed, they broke the law by lying on a government application. It states as follows:
Certification of Approving Officials
In Signing this agreement, it is certified that:
-The description of duties and responsibilities is current and fully and accurately describes those of the assigned employee;
-This assignment is being entered into to serve a sound,mutual public purpose and not solely for the employee’s benefit; and
-At the completion of the assignment, the participating employee will be returned to the position he or she occupied at the time this agreement was entered into or a position of like seniority, status and pay. The last two don’t appear to be true.

By: Ordinary Ops captain

Ordinary Ops captain — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:52:20 +0000

Chief Ellerbe only satisfied a protion of his retirement he did not fill all of the requiremnts to receive his pension at age 50 fair and square. He used a loophole. There are many firemen in the same boat but were not allowed this option. Cut him off and make him wait until 55.

By: dave statter

dave statter — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:40:11 +0000

To the person who wrote- “Dave you need to get your “facts” correct, so the readers of this blog, can trust what you are saying. I feel that your intent was good, but it is filled untruths and misinformation.”

I am interested in knowing what facts you believe are not correct.

While I admit there is a lot we don’t know because city officials are not answering questions about this issue, these are all facts I have double and triple checked from numerous sources.

Like anyone else I do make mistakes. So please enlighten me on the errors.

Statter

By: DC Firefighter

DC Firefighter — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:27:16 +0000

Thanks Dave,

Someone has to keep ‘em honest. Don’t listen to all the people that bring their negative comments on here about wanting you to stay out of their departments’ business. Sometimes the truth hurts, but someone on the outside is needed in helping to hold people accountable for their actions. If we had screwed up some patient care paperwork ( or any other minor infraction) these people, who are our departments senior chiefs, would be the first in line to crucify us. We all know that they don’t seem to care if we are good at firefighting anymore.

Keep digging Dave, these people think they can do whatever they want to whoever, whenever. I can’t wait till they see that everyones has to answer for their actions.