D.C. Councilwoman Mary Cheh has called for the resignation of D.C. FEMS Chief Kenneth Ellerbe.
In a letter to Councilman Tommy Wells, Cheh (D - Ward 3) requested Wells' committee demand a plan from Mayor Vincent Gray that will return the District's Fire and EMS department back to "excellence" and "prestige." Wells chairs the Committee of the Judiciary and Public Safety, which oversees the fire department.
Cheh goes on to write, "I believe the current Chief no longer has the confidence of the people of the District and should resign."
Ellerbe and his department have come under fire in recent weeks following a series of ambulance response issues throughout the city. A recent report by Wells' committee revealed the department has a serious shortage of paramedics, is using outdated and incorrect information and is exceeding its budget by millions of dollars.
On the heels of the report, Ellerbe's proposed ambulance redeployment plan was denied by the Judiciary Committee. The plan would put more paramedics on duty during the hours when most calls come in, but it would've also reduced the number of paramedics on duty during overnight hours.
Cheh says the plan from the mayor's office should be submitted to Council within 90 days.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE ON NBCWASHINGTON.COM
- Report: D.C. Fire and EMS Understaffed, Over Budget
- I-Team Investigates: When Seconds Count
- D.C. Ambulance Breaks Down Taking Carjacking Suspect with Gunshot Wound to Hospital
- Public Hearing on D.C. Ambulance Response Times
- D.C. Officer Who Waited 20 Minutes for Ambulance Leaves Hospital
- Ellerbe: Changes on the Way for D.C. Fire and EMS
- Only 58 of 111 D.C. Ambulances in Service
