Dave Statter spent 38 years in broadcasting in the Washington, DC area before retiring in June of 2010. In his youth he had been a volunteer firefighter, fire department dispatcher and a cardiac rescue technician in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
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Dave Statter joined 9NEWS NOW (WUSA-TV) in Washington, DC as a general assignment reporter in August 1985. Since May of 2007 he has also edited the website STATter911.com. STATter 911 focuses on fire and EMS issues worldwide, with special attention to news and videos Dave generates from the Metropolitan Washington area.
Besides a career in broadcasting that began in 1972, Dave was a volunteer firefighter in Oxon Hill, MD from 1974 to 1980. Dave also worked as a dispatcher for the Prince George’s County, MD Fire Department from 1976 to 1979. In 1977 Dave was in the first group of Cardiac Rescue Technicians certified in Prince George’s County.
Dave, along with his wife Hillary Howard, an anchor at all-news WTOP Radio, annually host the satellite uplink from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, MD. In 2007, STATter 911, in partnership with Firehouse.com, provided the first-ever live streaming of the events, allowing the important ceremonies to be seen around the world.
In his broadcast career, before coming to 9NEWS NOW, Dave worked at WTOP Radio where he was a news and traffic reporter. Prior to that he worked at a number of radio stations in Southern Maryland and in his home town of Baltimore.
In 1997, Dave was the first in the mainstream press to discover and report on the problems with “Omega” fire sprinklers. “Omega” sprinklers were eventually recalled by the CPSC.
The stories he is most proud of came under the banner “Get Out Alive”. From 1995 to 2001, 9NEWS NOW did a series of reports and a half-hour special teaching people what to do in case of a fire in a single family home, a high-rise building, and a garden-style apartment. Those reports and the special have been shown to the public at fire prevention seminars around the country. Thousands of brochures have been handed out by firefighters throughout the region. 9NEWS Now still gets requests for the brochures and tapes.
In 1993, Dave was named “Best Crime Reporter” by Washingtonian magazine. His still pictures of the arrest of James Edward Swann, the 1993 “Mount Pleasant Stalker,” were used by 9NEWS NOW and on the front pages of The Washington Post, The Washington Times and in papers around the country.
In 1991 Dave won an Emmy for Spot News Coverage of the Mount Pleasant Riot. Dave, with the late photographer Sheldon Levy, received a Gold Medal in the International Film and TV Festival of New York for his coverage of the dramatic rescue of a family from its burning Northeast Washington home in 1989.
In 1988, he and 9NEWS NOW photographer Mike Flynn taped a DC ambulance searching for a location for 30 minutes. This coverage led The Washington Post to write a series of editorials on the subject, along with a greater examination of the local ambulance system.
In 1986, along with former 9NEWS NOW reporters Mike Buchanan and James Brown, Dave broke the tragic Len Bias story, receiving a 1987 United Press International Broadcast Journalism Award and a Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters’ Association Award.
Dave’s coverage of the 1987 Amtrak derailment, which prompted drug testing of all future Amtrak employees, won a local Emmy and a 1988 Chesapeake AP Broadcasters’ Association Award. In 1989, Statter covered two nights of rioting in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Dave has extensive experience in hurricane coverage including reporting from Charleston, SC as hurricane Hugo made its direct hit on the city. In his spare time Dave also has spent many hours storm chasing in the Midwest and Great Plains.
His first live reporting assignment for WTOP Radio was covering the 1982 Air Florida disaster.
Dave and Hillary live in Northern Virginia with their son Sam.
Dave,
Can’t believe I’m the first to comment. Congratulations on the new web site. Looks Great! This is one of the first sites I check daily to see what is going on in the fire world. Keep up the good work!
Does this mean that your site won’t be e-mailed daily to us, as the blog was in the past? Thanks.
I like the fresh new look… Keep up the great work Dave!
Dave – Nice look but that’s not what’s great about your site. You’re a professional reporter and the agenda is information. Not so common.
The new website format is good except it lacks one feature contained in the old site. As you scroll down the article summaries in the new site and click to read the detail you are taken back to the top of the articles when you close out the detail. This wastes a great deal of time re-reviewing the article summaries already covered to get back to where you had been. The former site took you back to your current spot in the summaries when you closed out an article. It may not seem like much of a problem but it’s not very efficient for the users.
Dave: Still enjoy your website and have referred many people to it. Over the past few months I have been having a problem which if it's unique to me can be ignored. However, if others are also complaining about the same problem it should be addressed by your IT people. I have a high speed DSL and fair good capacity computer but recently the activity on your site (I suspect possibly some of the active advertising loading) has been causing my computer to "lock up". It just sits and will not permit me to move anywhere on your site, or anywhere else on my computer either. Eventually a dreaded MICROSOFT notice appears which indicates "script" is running and causing the computer to slow down. I have no idea what script is but again think perhaps its some of the activity which is constantly updating on the site is causing a problem. Perhaps this is like those annoying illuminated billboards you see along the highway which are continual flipping to another screen. I know advertisers are important and without them we probably wouldn't have your site, but … Perhaps it's some of the video being loaded. Hopefully if others are also having this problem it can be addressed in some manner. Keep up the good work.
Can you tell me what browser and what version you are using? It is a known problem. Thanks.
Hey dave might want to check into the fire in dallas texas reports from fox4 lastnight that two members have gone to hospital at a 7 alarm fire after a wall collapse
dave
i know this is not fire related,but can you update us on the four officers killed in washington state.
Have you been informed of Burtonsville (drunk)Vol. firefighter who urinated on sleeping career firefighter?
Does anyone know how Sandy Lee is doing? Sandy (Barbara A. Lee) was a former Bladensburg VFD member who became one of the first female PG Co. Firefighters. She had a series of unfortunate incidents (Kicked by a horse, run down by a vehicle, and finally run over and dragged by Truck 22 responding on a 9-Box) After I left Bladensburg VFD & PGFD and moved to Polk County, Florida, I had heard that she had many challenges,and was wondering what ever became of her. I did hear that she did a safety film titled “Under the Wheels” but have never seen it.
Can you find out wo the new medical director in Washington DC is? Dr. Augestine apparently resigned, don’t know exactly when though. Aren’t we supposed to always have a Doctor in to operate under? Anyway, my chain of command doesn’t know whats going on.
Dave,
It’s nice to see info, news and vids about incidents from around the country on your new website…which seems very well developed. I have 2 recommendations for ya to consider though.
1. Have a means of displaying or linking Washington DC area info directly aside from national stuff. Your new page is soooo smothered with non-DC Metro area info that it seems you could lose your DC area fan base…especially ME. I used to pull the page up every day…now it’s once a week because I’m tired of scrolling through all the national info. and flipping pages to get local stuff. Your big start was in DC and your affiliation is there through WUSA9….let us not forget our roots big guy.
2. The numerous vid clips on your main page sometimes makes it take awhile to load and at my office (authorized use). It often locks up and won’t display at all. How about putting news links instead of embedding the vids directly…or organizing the page into DC local vs Nat’l news…just a suggestion for those of us that don’t have the latest & greatest PCs or allot of time to hunt for news on our local brothers.
Thx
Hey Dave, update on your DFC Ellerbe Story. Word on the street is that he resigned from the DCFD on Jan 15. Is there a way you can confirm that new development and circumstances?
Dave -
I’ve followed your stories for years & am very impressed with both your website, and the breadth of coverage.
I am a physician misbehavior researcher. I examine cases of sheer goofiness – and only the very rare medical error. I am wondering of you would be at all interested in such material.
God bless & keep up the great work.
Dave,
Thank you for sharing all these stories. I am a 911 Trainer and I teach new and current dispatchers. I always need stories to share to keep up skills. Thank you for taking the time. I believe dispatching is a profession, not a job!
I have a fire video from Hemet Calif for your blog. How do I submit it to you?
Also, on another subject. I watched the hearings on 3/17 on Fire/EMS overtime. In it, Chief Rubin said that Assistant fire Chief Shultz had received $4,000 in overtime pay during one pay period because of the blizzards. In fact, he said that ALL the assistant fire chiefs have been paid overtime this year. These guys report directly to the Fire/EMS Chief and earn about $140 K a year. It is against District of Columbia law for Assistant Fire Chiefs to be paid overtime. I think it is in D.C. Code Section 1-616(f). Assistant Fire Chiefs are explicitly banned from receiving overtime. I know $4,000 is not that much in the scheme of things, but if all five or six of the Assistant Chiefs are receiving overtime, it could amount to a tidy sum. BTW, Assistant Fire Chiefs in other administrations NEVER received overtime.
So Sparky was the arf-onist?
Dave,
During your trip down memory lane, do you recall a number of fires in Takoma Park, MD around 1983 due to gasoline in the sewer system? I was with Silver Spring Engine 11 that day and recall about 14 building fires in a couple of hours time.
We were in a Washington Area Public Safety – Media Relations Council meeting that I was chairing. I think it was being hosted somewhere in Virginia. I was still working or WTOP Radio. I ended up on Ray Road covering it. But I was way late to the party. I do recall it.
Dave,
Just wanted to say thank you for everything you do for public safety across the country. I work in a suburb of Phoenix, Az but have spent a significant amount of time in the DC and surrounding areas. You have always been professional and respectful in your years of reporting. Thank you for everything, I wish you luck in your future endevors.
Sheesh, how’m I gonna tell you about it when you never call, you never write….Miss you too!
I don’t remember you telling me about the emmy either! Email me, I have some news (good)
Terri
Dave, Are you leaving channel 9? If so, may I ask why? I only half heard Anita say something regarding you tonight at the end of the 6 o’clock.
Dave, here’s a link to the audio of structure fire collpase that trapped firefighters in Pittsburgh today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZtGrluokFU&feature=sub
Thanks Clark, I was about to post it. Much appreciated.
Here’s an interesting (AND SCARY!) story out of Boston:
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/120368
The pronunciation of Kosciusko is “kos-ee-uhs-koh”. I appreciate your coverage of our fires, though not some of the comments.
Thanks for the pronunciation. I don’t write the comments. Understand how you might not like some of them. Never found a good policy for censoring them.
Statter
Oh boy….six hard years as a volunteer blue lighter. Man, all those years on the street must have given you so much experience. So much that you never were a full time officer anywhere. By the looks of it you were too interested in what was for lunch and dinner, and still are for that matter. You call yourself a firefighter? I would be embarrassed to call you my brother in blue. You couldnt pull a hose from the truck to a house if it were burning down. Good thing your cardiac rescue trained, carry a defib with you at all times buddy, you will be the first to go down in a stressful situation….
Is that you Hillary with another ploy to make me diet? im impressed thanks for writing but you are kind of wasting everyone’s time stating the obvious. Yes, we know I am fat and ugly. Also pretty bald. The photographers used to say I have a face for radio. I don’t call myself a firefighter. And I don’t tell firefighters how to fight a fire. Most of my experience is as a reporter covering the fire service and that’s the viewpoint I provide in when I write, speak and consult. I am not and will not pass myself off as your brother. I make that pretty clear in what I do. That’s who I am. Who are you?
By the way, I usually do a much better job insulting myself than what you have come up with. Impress me with something better than that that will at least make me laugh.
All that aside, is there something you would like to say about what I’ve written or posted? Glad to discuss the issues with you. Don’t be shy. I can take it.
Statter
Nice site Dave, glad I found it…Have a great Holiday!
Hope you are well buddy and keeping the rails safe. Your name came up at lunch the other day with that tall, ugly friend of yours who pretends to be a TV star.
Statter
Dave:
Let me know what your schedule is in the next few weeks for lunch. Love to catch up.
Hope you had a Happy Hanukkah!
Al Noznesky
Email me at dave@statter911.com
Dave,
Now the all of the charges have been dismissed against the bartenders involved in the Jimmy’s Tavern fire-breathing incident, maybe you would like to weight in again on the subject?
I had plenty to say at the time but refrained from posting in fear jeopardizing the bartenders before the charges were dropped.
John,
My opinion on the subject hasn’t changed much. I am a strong believer that anyone who plays with fire in a bar, restaurant or other place of public assembly is being stupic and reckless. Anyone who puts the well being of someone else in jeopardy like this should be dealt with.
Looking on the Internet there is too much of this going on. I don’t understand how mature adults can think for a moment that this type of behavior is acceptable or legal.
That said, was it handled perfectly by the authorities? Maybe not. Certainly not from a communications and PR perspective.
The good news is the message is out there that the FMs will take this seriously. I am hoping at least in Fairfax County there are bartenders who now know not to play with fire for their customers (why they didn’t know that before this is beyond me).
Hope have a great and safe holiday. Thanks for writing.
Statter
Mr. Statter, Mr.Marc Bashoor was our boss here at Mineral County Emergency Management/911 and he was the best thing that ever happened to Mineral County,we tried for almost 10 years to get a new 911 center built and Marc was here 1 year and we had a brand new 911 Center, something to be very proud of, he taught us a lot and we miss him very much, they will never find anyone to replace this man,we owe him a lot and we wish him all the best in his new position, it was a privilige working for him.
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=8078522 This is a link to the fire in Flynt Michagan where the homeowner was found 8 hours after fire crews left the scene.
found a good pre arrivial video for ya dave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f64dnbunV7g
I have long been a strong advocate of smoke detectors; Tuesday night the use was proven to me and I hope to others. I have 11 of my crew people walking around who probably would not be if there were no detectors in their house.
Fire ('unknown accidental source')broke out on the porch of the building after all residents had gone to bed. It spread to walls and inside and the smoke alarm went off, waking two kids who got their roommates and the people in the lower floor apartment out.
House=totalled
People=alive, no injuries
You can bet I'll be a stronger advocate from now on!
news accounts and fire photos are at: http://www.columbiapage.com ;http://capitalregion.ynn.com/content/top_stories/549916/house-fire-doesn-t-stop-jekyll-and-hyde/ , http://youtu.be/zjXIAvjf5Q8
Hey Dave,
I've reposted the My Knee Hurts Now, with a "fluffier disclaimer"
http://youtu.be/17wqbXR8nT0
Thank you so much for spreading it out!
Brent
Will repost.
My name is Alex Shovan and after I returned from a mission trip to the lakota sioux indian reservation in south dakota I began a facebook foundation to help the lakota people the problem they are facing among many others is that they are roughly the size of connecticut. But have only one fire department and their fire trucks are pickups with 5,000 gallon tanks yet even these must be conserved for fighting wildfires so house that catch on fire burn to the ground while even the firefighters must stand and watch therefore I am asking you to help me get the Shovan Foundation for Lakota Firefighters out there and help me find some support of any kind so far it's only on facebook and I'm only at 2 or 3 likes please help
Dave, I think I do remember you dispatching back in 1978-1979 when I was a member of Boulevard Heights, under Chief Fusco! I remember fondly of riding that 'open cab' Seagrave to an Oxon Hill 42 box, whether it was Owens Road, or Iverson Street or Southview Drive! Ahhh, those were the days! Thanks for what you do, and please keep up the 'FANTASTIC' work that you do! I think I speak for others by saying, you are admired and appreciated beyond words!
Thanks Anthony for the kind words. They were some very good times. A lot of fire on those streets. Remember Chief Fusco quite well. Thanks for writing.
Statter
Dave, I am a paramedic firefighter from Petersburg, WV. I did watch you and the gang on WUSA throughout the years. But this video says it all. At least twice a week we are called for similar calls. thankyou fro a good laugh. You have my respect because you stand up for all of us. Where other journalist may not understand. Because they have never been tones out at 01:15. You do.
Thanks so much.
Dear Dave,
An interesting article in the Economist this week about 1st Amendment rights and taping of government officials. I happen to think the Economist is the best weekly periodical around. You should be very porud to be ahead of the curve on the #1 source for everyone in the intelligence community.
http://www.economist.com/node/21541467
Dave, Keep up the great work.
We love you in Texas.
Thanks for using my video! Glad I got to share it with everyone on your site. Keep an eye out for more of them. Thank you!
Sure, Thanks Scott.
Happy Hanukkah to the little Jewish boy from Baltimore!
Dave, hope you enjoy all the politically incorrect Holidays that get celebrated or at least acknowledged in the Statter hosuehold.
May the New Year bring you an ample supply of videos that will keep the hits on your site climbing. Keep up the good work.
Thanks CHAOS, your input is always appreciated. Hope you saw the video of our little Hanukkah/Christmas celebration with my boy from Roanoke with his uncle. It was quite the event. Will share it again soon.
It has been an amazing couple weeks traffic wise, though I would be happy with fewer videos like the one we saw from Brooklyn yesterday.
Sometime later today I hope to post a different view of the fire in Vincennes, Indiana from over the weekend. I could be wrong but it may gives a different perspective on the initial fire conditions. We shall see.
Whether the holiday you celebrate is PC or not, I hope it is a joyous and peaceful one.
Thanks for the support.
Statter
Just after the 2011 National Fallen Fireifghters my wife and and I had the distinct privilage to meet Dave Statter. Mr, Statter interview us on "taking Care of Our Own". Dave Statter is dedicated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundations Principles and Goals. He truely is a dedicated person. We want to thank Dave Statter for the tremendouus work he does for the Foundation. It was an honor and a privelage to be intervies inreguards to how our family was treated and handled after the loss of or son Shane Daughetee with the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department, Harrison, TN. We need more people like Dave Statter supporting such a tremendous orginization as the National Fallen Firefrighters Foundation. Keep up the great work.
Jim,
I don’t know if I could ever live up to those kind words. I hope you and Linda are well. Thank you for sharing your story and the story of Shane. What you did is the hard part, mine is easy. Hope to see you again soon.
Dave
Congratulations Mr. Statter on years of reporting the facts as existed. Your coverage of very sensitive issues always put a perspective on the how,why,whynot, who, when those issues came to the forfront. If you think it might be a good endeavor, or even if it's feasible I would like to ask you to do an overview of Public Safety 911 Communications. The one comment here the person stated they are 911 Dispatcher Trainers. Recently the 911 Dispatcher in washington state made some very serious and I consider ignorant 911 interview questions to the Social Worker who reported smelling Gas after she brought two little boys now Angels/Good Lord rest and comfort their innocent souls. There are any number of good and bad experiences with 911. I remember the police officer in Florida whose Wife was killed due to a lack of proper 911 call coding for emergency response. The same thing that just occurred in Washington State. Remember the DC OUC when no one could pin point that Military Road is a primary thoroughfare with DC. Plain stupid. Then there was the 911 Dispatcher in Atlanta that didnot verify the correct location twice of a working structure fire. There are those good Professional cases whre 911 did real Customer Service and saved a Life. people must remember "911 isnot an Answering Service" Dispatchers/911 Operators donot, or shouldnot just think push a button in CAD and the Computer does it all" When a Taxpayer/citizen dials 911, "They are experiencing the worst day of their Life" They are seeking help and definitive reassurrance Help will be on the way immediately"
Dave, could you post the Baltimore County report again,it was taken down after one day, did not get a chance to read it.
http://statter911.com/2012/03/21/lodd-report-read-baltimore-county-investigation-into-death-of-lutherville-vfc-firefighter-mark-falkenhan/
It hasn’t been taken down. It’s still there.