The problem: Teenagers working for the Summer Youth Employment Program of the District of Columbia have been mugged in years past on pay day.
The solution: Deploy the DC Fire & EMS Department to specific street corners as a deterrent.
The latest this evening from the Washington Post's June Q. Wu:
For the past three weeks, firefighters have parked their trucks at locations across the District to deter criminals, said Paul Quander, deputy mayor of public safety and justice. Wednesday’s deployment coincided with the first payday for participants of the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program. In past years, youths in the program have been mugged on payday, city officials said.
“You don’t have to wear a badge and uniform and gun to have an impact on safety,” Quander said. “Public safety is not just the responsibility of the police department.”
Kristopher Baumann, head of the D.C. police union, criticized the effort as a “dangerous stopgap measure.”
“These guys are being asked to take on a law enforcement role with no training or coordination with the police,” Baumann said. “It’s like asking the police to start fighting fires.”
The story comes from an article by Freeman Klopott at The Examiner who reports, so far, has not been able to get the administration to comment:
"I just want to follow up with you about FEMS providing a presence at [high crime areas] and other focus areas to assist with SYEP payday safety," a legislative and policy analyst for the deputy mayor for public safety wrote in an e-mail to a fire department official on Tuesday. "I have Cc'ed MPD and DPOES for their input regarding which SYEP locations and [high crime areas] could use support from FEMS."
Fire union chief Ed Smith said he learned about the plan Wednesday morning as has already sent a series of inquiries to the administration officials.
"We're not trained for these matters," Smith said. "When we respond to violent crimes that involve medical emergencies we stage a block away until the police say its safe. We never get involved in police matters".
Union President Smith also issued the following press release this afternoon:
Metropolitan Police Department staffing is so low that District of Columbia Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe is forcing District of Columbia firefighters to be utilized in an effort to deter criminal activities.
Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe has ordered members of the DC Fire & EMS Department to assist in the protection of the Summer Youth Employees on Pay Day.
On Summer Youth Employment Pay Days, District Fire Fighters will be assigned to "take posts" in high crime areas to provide a "presence?"
A major concern, according to Ed Smith, President of the District Fire Fighters Union Local 36, "no one has defined what is meant by "presence" … and what is the role of the fire fighters when they witness a criminal act taking place?
Smith goes on, "I am concerned that this is a knee jerk reaction to what is serious problem that is clearly a police matter and not a fire department problem."
"Not only are my members not trained as police officers they are not properly equipped to handle police matters, yet could be called upon to become involved in various situations that place’s them in harm’s way! Smith is also concerned that posting firefighters in areas other than the strategically located fire station’s can potentially increase response times to fire and medical related emergencies.
Also on STATter911 …
- Facebook problems in the Nation’s Capital. Five DC firefighters taken off the street for comments about police. – May 14, 2013
- DC Update: Police union says no to Mayor Gray’s event because of fire chief’s White House flap. Councilmember wants IG to probe cadet harassment charge. – February 26, 2013
- DC police official sent email about ‘file burn’ day before records found on fire at fire department training academy. Fire & police unions trying to shed light on what’s behind document disposal. – May 24, 2012
- A most bizarre story from the Nation’s Capital: DC fire & police unions want investigation into personnel records dumped & burned at FD training academy. – May 23, 2012
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PAY DCPD Overtime!
Let the DCFD do its Main Job, Go to fires and EMS Runs and let the OT Police Officers theirs, go catch the "Bad Guys and Gals.
Bad boy, bad boy, what you going to do, what you going to do when FEMS comes after you…
Obviously, they need one of these http://tinyurl.com/5req35p installed in every piece of apparatus. Giving new meaning to the term deck gun.
I must say the comments here speak volumes of just how the Fire Chief/aka FEMS Administrator is deeply not Respected by the Rank and File Professionals of DC Fire and EMS Dept. The mere idea of sending Firefighters out on the street to act as safe Guards for the Young People with Summer Jobs seems absurd. The fact of Safety for everyone is of Paramount Importance. Why not has the Mayor's Office, MCPD, and citizens with Neighborhood Watch coordinated this Task? One can only believe it's the Money Factor of Costs for Overtime or funding in one form or another. How can anyone specifically The City Political Leaders, The Fire Chief/ Deputy Mayor for Public Safety really look upon this effort as being a Safe measure? Quoting from a comment that Chief Ellerbee supposedly said about anyone in their right mind would not even consider any crimes of injury towards DC Fire and EMS Personnel is an absolute shameful disgrace for a man in such a critical position of Public Safety serving our Nation's Capitol. Does Ellerbee really think anyone with criminal activity thoughts is going to be detered by visually seeing Fire Apparatus? Come on Chief Ellerbee you are a well educated man. You know very well a statement like that only adds to the potential of a crime to be committed. ie; What would be your thoughts and words Chief Ellerbee if either a lone person or a group either walked by and attempted to harm the young people and/or the Firefighters present, or initiate a Drive by assault/ambush before anyone would have the split second time to recognize and react to save people and/or themselves. What is wrong with you. Bottom Line here, this is an extreme lack of substance measure to satisfy someone's name within the Political Arena.
Thank You
With the rash of MPD officers being arrested lately they are probably fearful that the officers are the ones mugging the kids. FF's are the only ones they can trust
Why doesn't he just park all of the broken out of service apparatus at these locations, this was done years ago when they closed the ER at DC General as a smoke screen. HEAT WAVE NEXT WEEK CHIEF CAN WE GET THE A/C FIXED
You guys have it all wrong, step up to the challenge, let one of the thugs smack you then then go with your attorney to visit King Ellerbe, you will be set for life with ull retirement.
I have just been notified by telestaff that I am detailed to homeland security department for my next tour. I will be an air marshal just for the day. I think there will be training for social services foster care and adoption for us to place children in foster homes. I LOVE THIS JOB…….just hate who I work for.
Just remove the deck gun from the fire truck and mount a .50cal up there….
Also remember, as I was taught by an oldhead, "There's no such thing as Firefighter brutality". (wink)
Protect yourselves DC Firefighters!! Good luck!
DC FEMS has perfected reinventing the wheel, but adding a corner. And as rent a cop said, nobody else was stupid enough to promote you. You had to back door your way in. Now take the front door out.
While on this "detail" to MPD, do we wear our traffic vest or school safety patrol belt?
All kinds of education but absolutely zero common sense!
Hell with the vests! With all the recent revisions of the uniform policy I think a 5th one is in order: "Plain clothes FEMS personnel"
When some paid guys were talking about a volly company who didn't want to take on added responsibilities, they were called un-American, amongst other things and that when they signed the dotted line to do this job they agreed to serve and protect, so if they didn't want the added responsibilities to just quit.
Thats not what I said, this is what they said. I wonder what these same clowns would say about their paid brothers situation.
I hope you all saty safe and I believe you are being given the shaft.
Seriously though…has this jackass even considered why he was in charge of nothing as a DFC under Ruben? If he is as smart as he seems to think, why didn't any of the last three chiefs figured that out? Anthony Williams did after his "payback" transfer list(that a court even interviened on) when he was Interim Chief. He couldn't even keep the the top spot during that administration. Didn't get it under the Fenty administration. Three fire chiefs after serving as interim chief he still hadn't been promoted. It took a mayor who could be facing criminal charges for him to get his dream spot. Hmm? I wonder why?
Soooooo, if one of our bothers gets shot and killed doing this rediculous action will it still be considered a LODD?