Comments on: OAG E-Mails Show Frustration With Fire Department; Did Investigators Botch The Georgetown Library Case?

By: Wow

Wow — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:05:18 +0000

You really want a story, go check out the Training Academy. Nothing like seeing the Department give guys 9 chances to pass a standard entry level EMT exam. Check out the night class.

By: Danny H

Danny H — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:26:46 +0000

Hmmmmmmm...Wonder if any monies are finding it's way to pockets that were JUST hired when thes blazes occured??

By: HOOKMAN

HOOKMAN — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:54:59 +0000

The funny thing about this whole article is Peter Nickels who oversees that corruption is covered up by any of the agencies under Fenty, and he's mad because this could cost the city 13 million....From Dennis Rubins traveling around the country using his title for personal gain to the 4 positions being held illegally by Brian Lee Lawrence Schultz Al "fat ass" Jeffrey to Raphael Sa'adah its no wonder things like this continue to happen...The end of the article says it all....continuation of corruption and coverups.

By: Vox Populi » Lawsuit reveals Fire Department bungled the investigation of the Georgetown Public Library blaze

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:16:18 +0000

[...] Unfortunately for D.C., the contractor is contesting that claim, and the lawsuit has revealed that D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services did a less than stellar job investigating the fire. Washington City Paper’s Jason Cherkis unearthed court documents and e-mails between the FEMS and the Office of the Attorney General that show the full extent of the investigators’ negligence. [...]

By: concerned

concerned — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:07:44 +0000

Theese are all Larry Shultz's moves. He is Asst. Fire Chief of Opperations and has put his people in theese places. It's his doing's. Larry "Hitler" Shultz has no leadership abbility and should not have been hired in the first place due to his arson comviction in the MD suburbs. The top has to go but as long as Fenty's mayor, nothing will change.

By: Terry Miller

Terry Miller — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:07:39 +0000

The problem is not the investigators, the problem is the management. Just before the Eastern Market fire and the Georgetown fire, Fire management transferred the Fire Marshall out (who actually had been a fire investigator and rose through the ranks), for a new Fire Marshall (Gary Palmer), who knew nothing about fire investigating. He brought with him new officers (also with no fire investigating experience), like Duck and Faust. Now Gary Palmer has been forced out and there is yet another Fire Marshall (I think Bruce Faust). No continuity and no experience. No wonder!

By: Marciela

Marciela — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:53:49 +0000

@Jason: Was there any more information about when Fire Department people were cheating on their exams in La Plata? Do you remember this?

Paramedics cheated in assessments for national performance standards. People were cheating on camera. They used cheat sheets on the National Registry Center in La Plata, College of Southern Maryland. Michelle Goodwin, incident in 2008. Reported it to Pearson View.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/video/275240/fire_chief_responds_to_emt_issues.html

By: Local Lessons From Other Elections: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:13:38 +0000

[...] CASE YOU MISSED IT—”Jim Graham Attracts a Potential Challenger“; “Did Investigators Botch The Georgetown Library Case?“; “OAG Calls, Wants Its E-Mails Back“; tweets [...]

By: monkeyrotica

monkeyrotica — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:31:20 +0000

Is it any suprise they f**ked up this investigation, considering what a botched abortion they made of the Eastern Market fire investigation? The fish stinks from the head down.

By: The Morning Metropolitan «

The Morning Metropolitan « — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:02:30 +0000

[...] City Paper digs into possible problems with the Fire Department’s investigation into the Georgetown Library [...]

By: Jason Cherkis

Jason Cherkis — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:04:21 +0000

proballdc: another good point. I will find out how many certified investigators they do have.

By: proballdc

proballdc — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:47:50 +0000

Jason great reporting. Isn't it something that this case could cost the city $13 million dollars, potentially due to an incompetent investigation and our Attorney General's Office seems to, based on Nickles retort, "It’s not on the top of my radar", just generally not give a rat's ass. The city has just laid off over 15% of it's workforce due to "economic pressures" (I hate that misused cop out)yet the Attorney General is dismissive on this case despite the possible judgment potential. 13 million dollars really could save a lot of jobs. Are you able to find out just how many NFPA certified fire investigators the District Fire Department has among it's ranks, where are they stationed and when were they last used to investigate a fire?

By: Comrade Al Gonzales

Comrade Al Gonzales — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:23:49 +0000

Lt. Duck quacked this one up? You've got to be kidding me.

This fire was totally preventable. The contractors were using open flames within inches of old paper & old wood.

The fire destroyed an invaluable community asset. And while Boss Fenty rebuilt the Eastern Market in a few months, rebuilding the library has become a five-year project for the anti-education mayor.

By: OAG Calls. It Wants Its Emails Back. - City Desk - Washington City Paper

OAG Calls. It Wants Its Emails Back. - City Desk - Washington City Paper — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:14:22 +0000

[...] I wrote up a piece about how Office of Attorney General lawyers were/are furious with fire department brass. What’s the reason for their anger? A shoddy investigation into the Georgetown Library fire [...]

By: Jason Cherkis

Jason Cherkis — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:37:26 +0000

Keith... You make a good point. I'm not sure where Pennington is now. I think he's at an Engine Company.