Former Fire Chief Sues the City
Former Fire Chief Dennis Rubin says the District stiffed him on retirement benefits, and he's suing the city.
Rubin's contract says the District would contribute 14 percent of the chief's $165,000-a-year salary to his retirement pension each year he was employed. Based on LL's math, that comes out to more than $80,000 for the three-plus years he was chief. Rubin is suing for $150,000.
Rubin says in court records that the District "failed to contribute" the 14 percent and didn't answer his requests for payment in "a substantive and productive manner." Reached by phone, he declined to offer any additional comments.
The District's made a motion to dismiss, indicating there's at least a chance of this case going to trial. If it does, Councilmember Phil Mendelson likely won't be serving on the jury.
Mendelson frequently butted heads with Rubin over the department's chronic budget-busting overtime problems. Mendo says he's miffed that Rubin has the nerve to ask for more money after he "refused to work with the council to control spending" and "refused to respect the budget."
6:44 pm
The District has always been a cash cow city.
11:20 pm
ANOTHER WHITEY LEGALLY STEALING MONEY.
IM WITH MENDOG ON THIS ONE. HE SHOULDNT GET ANOTHER DIME ESPECIALLY AFTER O.T. SHAMOCKERY.
9:26 am
I think he was a jerk but I don't think the city should be allowed to break contracts whenever they want to. If they are not held accountable than they will run all over employees and they will have no protection...,.....oh wait they do that now........never mind.
10:14 am
And let's add the fact that they continual hire PA residents to work here.
I'll say we are even...now just walk away.
10:42 am
Noodles you silly uneducated DC product.It has nothing to do with white or black- if we want to make it racial how about the current blackie chief who wants to cut 400 positions and talks about overspending and budget crisis yet just paid and estimate $3300 - $6600 to have pictures of himself put up in each firehouse. Hows that for vain. Its not white or black it DC hiring idiots crooks and criminals. From council members who steal money, mayors who like whores & drugs, vindictive chiefs who lie. Rubin had a contract - DC should honor it although DC should not have agreed to it to begin with
11:35 am
@ Noodlez - Move to PG County will you. You belong over there.
11:37 am
Rubin cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars through mismanagement, including scores of lawsuits brought against him. Still, he should get his retirement contributions, he is going to need it to hire an attorney.
11:38 am
Of course some idiot makes it a racial issue. What does that have anything to do with the issue at hand? The man and the city signed a contract, pay him what you agreed to contribute! And the last time I checked DC was a federal city therefore my PENNSYLVANIA taxes and my federal taxes contribute to DC. The current fire chief is nothing more than a school yard bully in a management position!
11:40 am
I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT THE CURRENT BLACK CHIEF. IF YOU WANT TO COMPARE SPENDING $7K TO MAKING A DECISION ABOUT A SERIOUS COST CUTTING DECISION THEN GO RIGHT AHEAD AND SHOW YOUR IGNORANCE.
I WOULD SUSPECT THAT $80K WOULD BE MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN THE $7K AS IT PERTAINS TO A POSITION BEING CUT OR A FIREMAN/EMT LET GO. HIS THEIVIN ASS SHOULD HAVE HAD THE FORESIGHT TO SEE THAT WHILE HE WAS CONSTANTLY OVERSPENDING EVEN AFTER HE WAS TOLD NOT TO ESPECIALLY ON OVERTIME.
WE SHOULD GO AFTER SOME OF HIS SALARY BECAUSE HE FAILED AT THE POSITION. WHAT IN THE FUCK DID WE PAY HIM FOR? HIS WHITE ASS PROVIDED NO LEADERSHIP AND HE GROSSLY OVERSPENT! CHECK THE SCANDALS UNDER THIS CLOWNS LEADERSHIP (MOTEN, FIRE TRUCK AND DOM REP). I BELIEVE HE WAS FLENTY FLUNKIE SO THAT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMEHTING.
FUCK HIM!
11:45 am
Nothing negative about the current chief? You either do not work for the DCFD or you are just completely ignorant? The current chief has done absolutely nothing for our great department except do away with the DCFD logo!
12:20 pm
Couldn't agree more Travis this IDIOT has no clue what he is even talking about!
12:23 pm
This is the same D.C. Fire Chief who mismanaged [no that's not right]- refused to establish a Fire Cadet Program in our D.C. Public High Schools to train and offer future employment to our graduates.
The same fire chief who testified at a Council Hearing that the appropriated $10 million dollars; budgeted by the Council to fund our children's Fire Cadet Program; was not spent but used to pay overtime to his [Rubin's] favorites.
Mind you; the Council had already budgeted-in overtime funding for the Fire Department during Rubin's 3 plus years as Fire Chief.
What goes around - comes around.
Wake up Trusting Citizens
Calvin GURLEY
WARD 4 COUNCIL
12:41 pm
IM CHANGING MY NAME FROM noodlez TO IGNORANT THE IDIOT!
ITS OBVIOUS THAT JOE AND TRAVIS ARE BOTH WHITE! THE WAY THEY ARE DEFENDING THAT CLOWN WHO DID NOTHING BUT RUIN MORALE AND SET DCFD BACK 10YRS.
I GUESS BY THE CURRENT CHIEF NOT GIVING ALL YALL LEGACY WHITE FIREMAN CUSHY POSITIONS AND MAKING YALL WORK FOR YOUR DOUGH IS DOING NOTHING. A LOGO????? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!
TELL RUBIN THE ROBBER TO PAY US DC CITIZENS BACK THE MONEY HE COLLECTED WHILE PRETENDING TO BE THE FIRE CHIEF!
12:50 pm
Again, what does race have to do with it????
12:52 pm
THANK YOU CALVIN! It was a one of kind program that was one of the best in the country. You couldn't beat it!
But, I guess if you could stop some blk kids (and one white one who from Ward 3 who fought/sued the city to get in)from a real job opportunity and give to your boys who live in penn, then take their paychecks back to PA, pay their morgages,and pay PA taxes then it’s all good.
So FUCK PENNSYLVANIA! Your plucking federal taxes pay for a host of shit and so do mine so holla at me when your ass can pro-rate the exact amount that your taxes goes towards D.C.
I hated visiting that place and at first I didn’t believe that it was that racist but you get the jest real quick.
Rubin better be glad he had a job and got something out of it.
1:09 pm
@New Dells he allowed that type of racist cultural to exist...that what it has to do with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1:24 pm
Well noodlez, it's obvious to me that judging by your repeated incinuations that white guys are no good, that you're a black guy. Judging by how you write in all captial letters and actually type slangish wording when there's no need to, it simply fortifies my conclusion. Hold onto you hat as this may upset you, but I'm white.
People with your mindset would make it about race. Perhaps go beat your chest at the next Blazers meeting and collectively find fault in whoever you want to be to blame.
No, I don't work for the DCFD. However, I spent every day with Brothers of all races who work there. Fine tuning the phrase "all races" for you, I will be more specific in saying that these men were both black and white, some of other cultures, some from different countries.True firemen who I would certainly trust with my life. Good men who work hard for their money, just like I'd hope to assume you do; guys I'd die next to if need be.
Maybe the first step towards ending the bullshit is to try to get through to people like you. "Legacy white firemen"? That's like saying "entitled black firemen". Something, I'd bet, would send a guy like you into a fit. A legacy has to do with the things you do in your career and the way others view you over time. If a man has a rich legacy in the fire service, black or white, then I would respect him equally either way. I'd be more inclined to learn what he did as a fireman then what he did as a race.
I really feel like I shouldn't have to explain this stuff from one fireman to another, but in this case, I feel like I need to. The beauty of it is that even people like you get to have an opinion, even if it's strewn about in capital letters.
I fear this race shit will go on and on because people like you won't ever let it go. But whatever, it's not my city and not my problem.
1:33 pm
@noodle you must be kidding. U are the one making it a color issue. You think that because someone gets a job in DCFD that automatically they got it because they're white. How about they got the job because of the qualifications they have, which they usually go out and get on their own, and because of there knowledge, experience and training. As far as the person complaining about hiring people from PA. Where I live I want the best possible person to fill the position of Firefighter or police officer. I don't want some person to get the job because of the color of their skin or because THEY think it's owed to them. I'd want someone who cares about the job to go out and take classes and have enough motivation to continue learning and has respect for a job as firefighter. I would hope that that is the same type of person you would want working for your local fire dept, because that's who may have to save you or your property one day.
2:09 pm
Yes noodlez I am in fact white, if that has anything to do with Dennis Rubin's lawsuit? Im almost certain it does not! The story is about a MAN, not a white man or a black man but just a man, that is suing the city over an agreement that was broken. Whether you like Rubin or not or if he is four shades of green with purple poke a dots on him, he should get his money from the city that was agreed upon. I know in your sheltered world that you obviously have a sense of entitlement and if your white or any other race other than black then you shouldn't get anything. And if you're on the job don't hide behind a fucking screen name, unless you're one of those guys who rides the fence on issues and can't stand behind your word like a man!
2:27 pm
Dennis Rubin was in the wrong job. He should have run a non-profit earmarking $300,000 plus for children's programs. That's where the real money is and maybe as a benefit Rubin could have earned real jail time.
2:30 pm
Travis, you should actually do some research. Our city is actually funded from local taxes and the governmentbapproves it. Our budget doesn't come from federal funds but why would I expect you to state facts on this city. You don't live in the city and could care less about the people of this great city.
Do us all a favor, stay in your lane and stay out of our business.
2:30 pm
Rubin, white or black, WAS A BAD HIRE!! F him and all of the other clowns that game the system.
2:47 pm
TO IGNORANT THE IDIOT!
Are you serious?? Is the current Position Holder of the Office of Fire Chief,D.C.F.D. the SAME "person" who was STEALING dollars while RESIDING AND EMPLOYED in Florida?
But,that wouldn't be Stealing,would it. He's black,so it's deserving AND OWED to him!!! Sorry,I forgot.
This RACE Bullshit is a lot of the problem!! Wonder what the reaction would be if an Asian was the Chief!!
Then what would the Whiney Asses complain about?? Height requirements? Rice at EVERY MEAL...
Catch the Drift,Numbnuts?
2:47 pm
@shining the light....yes please please please do some research! Ill give you just one federal funded program that DC not only participates in but its clients often abuse, its called public housing or section 8. This is a federal funded program. I pay federal taxes therefore I do contribute to DC residents! As far as not caring about the citizens of DC, ill ask you when was the last time you put on an airpack and went into an apartment fire to search for a DC resident that was trapped? Im pretty sure I don't need to elaborate as to where im going with this so go fuck yourself! Ive probably done more for the citizens that I serve in the last month than you've done in a lifetime!
2:51 pm
@Travis...well hun please resign!
I'm sure we could reinstate the program and hire one of those potential section 8 kids at a lower cost to take your place.
2:55 pm
Slavery is over stop using it as an excuse to be lazy, drop out of school, and suck the life out of welfare. Maybe if you worked hard to achieve your goals instead of looking for free handouts maybe you would have a differnt outlook on life.
2:57 pm
@slaveryisover....your right so set the DC residents free and let us become a state.
3:08 pm
Ya'll couldn't make it off the PA firefighter salary, you can't afford to live in D.C., but yet we are good enough to take care you're family. Like Lehan for example who sounds like a welfare queen to me. If you couldn't afford dem babies you shouldn't have had them.
Lehan wouldn't comment on camera Monday about his overtime, but says he works the hours given to him to support his five children and has done nothing wrong.
Payroll records show he earned $153,000 in overtime over the last two years. If you add that to his $89,000 a year firefighter salary, his take-home pay for the last two years has been at least $331,000.
Mendelson says this has to stop.
"This overtime has been out of control. Management has not been managing the overtime issue, so the overtime has been millions of dollars over the budget. So we're doing it ourselves through the law. It's a crude way of doing it," said Mendelson.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?hl=en&gbv=2&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=484l17404l0l17748l44l43l6l22l0l1l250l2828l2.5.8l15l0&q=cache:fGwjEqT_mV4J:http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/dc/allegations-of-overtime-abuse-in-dc-fire-and-ems-department-010311+dc+firefighter+overtime+five+kids&ct=clnk
3:11 pm
@New Dells-HERE YOU HAVE ANOTHER WHITE PERSON IN CHARGE WHO MISMANAGED FUNDS AND WAS A TOTAL DISGRACE AS IT PERTAINS TO DCFD YET HE WANTS THE DCGOV TO GIVE HIM MONEY HE THINKS HE IS OWED OR IS ENTITLED TO. HOWEVER THERE IS NO INVESTIGATION INTO HOW HE FUCKED MONEY UP (AND HE DID IN A MAJOR WAY), HOW HE SHOWED A BLATENT DISREGARD TO THE POSITION AND NOW AFTER THE SMOKE HAS CLEARED AND THERE ARE DISTRACTIONS ABOUND HE WANTS MONEY.
NOW HERE IS THE SUCKER MOVE; I CALLED HIS WHITE ASS OUT NOW ALL THE HUNKY’S ARE TRYING TO THROW THE CURRENT BLACK CHIEF UNDER THE BUS BECAUSE HE IS BLACK AND NOT DOING FOR THEM WHAT THE WHITEY WAS DOING. THEY ARE EVEN BRINGING UP PETTY INHOUSE ISSUES SUCK AS LOGOS AND PICTURE MONEY. IF RUBIN WAS BLACK TRUST AND BELIEVE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN LAMBASTED. SO IM PICKING UP THE SLACK.
----------------------------------------------------------
@ FRED MY MAN YOU ARE THE TYPICAL WHITE GUY WHO CAN CONFESS THAT YOU KNOW A FEW BLACKS/MINORITIES AND IT MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE TO TALK, SPEAK OR ADDRESS RACE. YOU ARE ALSO POINTING OUT IRRELAVENT BULLSHIT REGARDING MY COMMENT TO DISTRACT AND DEFLECT. NO WONDER WHITE FOLK ARE RUNNING SCARED, CAMPING OUT AND UP IN ARMS.
YEAH ‘LEGACY FIREMAN’. SLIM DO SOME READING. THERE WAS ISSUES AS IT PERTAINED TO BLACK FIREFIGHTERS WHEN THIS JOKER TOOK OFFICE. LOOK ALL THE FOLK THE PREVIOUS MAYOR HIRED OUTSIDE EACH AGENCY WAS SOME SHIT, DESTROYED WHATEVER GAINS WERE MADE UNDER THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION AND NONE WERE BLACK. RUBIN WAS ARGUBLY THE WORST OF THE LOT WHEN IT CAME TO BASIC ADMINISTRATION OF SAID AGENCY.
YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT ONE THING “I fear this race shit will go on and on because people like you won't ever let it go. But whatever, it's not my city and not my problem” WOW ‘RACE SHIT’ AND PEOPLE LIKE ME??? SLIM IMA CONTINUE TO BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT RACE RELATIONS ‘TIL I HAVE NO BREATH LEFT. MUMIA HASN’T STOP FIGHTING NEITHER WILL I!
I SEE YOU FRED TRYING TO PLAY THE MIDDLE BUT YOUR ROOTS OBVIOUSLY RUN TOO DEEP.
----------------------------------------------------------@R. Brennan-TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE GENERAL PREMISE OF YOUR STATEMENT.
3:29 pm
@really....why would I resign? I took an oath! Regardless of where I live or what color I am I do my job and do it well! You wouldn't understand the first thing about being a DC FIREMAN! Like a lot of my brothers, this isn't just a "job" for me! The cadet program is just that, hey who wants a good govt job?
3:44 pm
@Travis...you do! Cause you a good DC gov't worker too!. I'm not but as I told another ass over in another post. There are many of us that comment who understand all too well the agencies and programs under them. So TRAVIS YOU WOULDN'T know how much I understand.
The cadet program wasn't a job program it was one the greastest way to provide an opporutnity for DC residents 18-24 yr olds to become a BROTHER, take an oath and earn a decent salary while LIVING in their community.
Not run up the bill on the DC taxpayers to payfor dem 5 babies.
How many Firefighters in PA are DC residents? None!
You can't have it both ways. Travis repeast after me... In America, we are culturally conditioned to believe that (anything) Black is inferior and white is superior. And the manifestation of that cultural conditioning is that blacks are underestimated, undervalued and marginalized…Madison.
You can’t have a rules for ya’ll and rules for us.
3:44 pm
@noodlez and the rest of you misinformed "city" residents....im done on here because you're way of thinking is exactly what you despise if reversed on you. You're black so you're right and im white so im wrong. We might as well go back to the 60's because obviously everything is race related with you noodlez.
3:57 pm
Well...I'm Black and noodlez and Southeast Ken are just racist, self-loathing, uneducated Black men with a major chip on their shoulders. They spew so much hate all the time. What they don't want to realize is that all of this cronyism and corruption comes from both Black and White officials in this town. Sessoms, Fenty, Gray, Graham, Barry, M. Brown, K. Brown, Evans, etc. What's color got to do with it? It's about greed, power, egos, and personal gain.
4:01 pm
The constituents of the District of Columbia need to file a class-action lawsuit against Dennise Rubin for the mismanagement of tens of millions of our hard-earned tax dollars in freakin overtime pay!
Councilman Mendelson said Rubin allowed an, "orgy of opportunity for fire department employees to earn massive amounts of overtime. The city paid $1.1 million in overtime alone for the fire department during one pay period."
The Washington Times reported, "Rubin has allowed more than $340,000 in overtime to be paid to salaried managers and allowed a small group of employees to rack up huge amounts of extra pay, including two firefighters who made more than $100,000 in overtime pay last year."
So for y'all defenders of Rubin, the gravy train is over and the pillaging of DC tax dollars by Pennsylvanians and non-residents is about to exit to the left.
4:08 pm
By "confess" I believe you mean "profess". I'm proud of my buddies who are black. If they were in this discussion, they'd probably out speak me on this subject and blow you out of the water. Because I believe in them that much, I feel like an internet personality like you deserves a good discussion.
I also feel you deserve at least a last response from me because you took the time to concoct a second caption. The only roots I have can be traced back to my Italian family heritage. I, however, was raised to be an American. The injustices I have seen have allowed me to formulate my own opinions. There are no acts of subterfuge in my first statement at all, but I'm glad you could at least accuse me of such..it keeps it interesting. Perviously, I had addressed your comments about race only, not if the white or black guy was better in office.
I don't need to know the particulars to see your charged soapbox speech is indicative of your ideals when it comes down to how you feel about this stuff. As I said, you're entitled to your opinions about the way the world works. However, I remind you that wars are fought solely because one side cannot agree with the other side. Everyone of every race should understand this. Additionally, I don't know of one white person that is running scared or camping out from anything. Perhaps it is the quality company I keep. If you can find someone who does this, let me know and I'll personally inform him of his cowardice.
Mr. (or Mrs.) Noodlez, if that's actually your real name, you should know this about me: I don't play the middle. I'm a fireman, not a politician. I see it how it is, this enables me to do the job better than you. If you sling a sting at my skin color, naturally, you'll get stung in return. If it bothers you, tread more carefully. If you are a shitbag, you will reap the same treatment from me whether you are black or white.
In closing, I realize you're set in your ways and no fair discussion will ever get you to look outside the box. Back into the world you go to keep racial tensions high. The scary part is, if we were to sit down and have a beer, we'd more then likely get along just fine.
I wash my hands of you.
4:13 pm
@Lexus; fuck you! I have a Graduate Degree from Georgetown University and I am a proud Howard University undergraduate. What about you? Once again, you can kiss my brown ass. I don't apologize to you or to anyone for having an opinion. If you are truly black, continue wanting to be accepted by whites in America because at the end of the day, you are still considered inferior by most whites in America.
4:15 pm
Correction: I want apologize to you, Lexus.
4:23 pm
Lexus, I am a realist and I call them as I see them. I doubt you are black. Typical white person pretending to be black to make a point. I don't apologize for having an opinion or for being a realist. Why don't you attack whites making racist remarks on Prince of Petworth, DCist, and other mostly white blogs where these trolls go to share how they truly feel in their hearts about blacks. Telling noodlez to move to PG County is offensive because D.C. is this man's native home. What about you, Lexus? This is like telling blacks to move to Africa. And some think race relations are great. The President was recently called a tar baby by a white politician. A 92 year old white woman called in from middle America on C-Span last week early in the morning stating, she would never vote for any black. At least she was being honest. Guess what, I ain't mad at girlfriend for sharing how she truly feels in her heart regarding blacks. What I don't liek is undercover or downlow racist like yourself, Lexus.
4:53 pm
I will say this, those black folks noodlez,StrangeFruit, and Really can write their ass off. I give respect where respect is due. Southeast Ken, you are obviously an intelligent brother who is rooted in the black experience and you have shown everyone that while you are reasonable, you are no one punk. I am just calling it the way I see it.
5:06 pm
Merci beaucoup Tony!
5:07 pm
I am Black, black, black. I am educated (with graduate degrees). I just don't hate like you two shallow, hateful, disgruntled men. Let other people be racist..why join them? Let whites be racist. What is the profit in pointing how awful whites are as racists and then go into a racist rant yourself? Sad, very sad. Uh oh...here comes the barrage of hate messages and name calling toward me. They have no other method of expression. Sad.
(Love you brothas).
5:38 pm
Ken in his old age is mighty afeared of black people that don't think like him, that they are going to outlive him or change his world. He has to keep bringing up his "qualifications" because he's racked by insecurity and an inferiority complex. Maybe he thinks he isn't smart enough, maybe he isn't black enough. His only defense is to assume he's the sole voice of black thought on the internet, because to think otherwise would expose him to the reality that what he thinks... won't matter for much longer. I suspect his kids share none of his crazy ideas, so he is left to rant on the internet, his family having turned their backs on his crazy ass as soon as they learned to think for themselves.
And more on the level Ken, why do you read those garbage blogs anyway? How do you feel about the peanut gallery here on WCP?
6:02 pm
Keith B. didn't Tony tell you ignorant racist white ass to go set in a corner and take a time out? You don't know me or anything about me, but I have realized, you're an asshole.
Lexus, I am no more disgruntle than your white mother and father. You too are another self hating white individual pretending to be black. I don't care what you are anyone think of me. I am a realist and I live in the real world daily.
Back to Keith B., you need to be careful about wishing death on me because when you dig one ditch, you had better dig two. Keith B. aka Lexus, everything bad you have wished on me will come back to you 7 times fold. Like I stated to you, I am over 50 and I don't plan to move out of the District into Prince Georges County, Maryland. When I leave Hillcrest Southeast Ward 7, I will be going on to glory and buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Northeast D.C. Have a nice day! Better yet, go fuck each other.
Native Washingtonian
6:30 pm
Lexus, I am no more disgruntle than your white mother and father. You too are another self hating white individual pretending to be black. I don't care what you or anyone think of me. I am a realist and I live in the real world daily.
6:30 pm
This thread is like watching Forrest Gump debate Rain Man about metaphysics.
7:25 pm
True dat.
7:28 pm
What does race have anything to do with this conversation. Employees are hired via a civil service test and then off there written score and onto physical agility which is pass/fail. The best get hired, it doesn't matter if their from mars let alone pennsylvania, if they have a birth certificate and a ssn, their in. The cadet program is a waste, earn your job like everyone else. A contract is an agreement which should be followed, if Rube mismanaged or stole money or any of the sort, than the city needs to investigate and charge him. Otherwise follow thru with the agreement just as any one of us would want. This issue has nothing to do with his career other than to say the city failed too meet on their end. Final point, if the employee, gets hired legit, comes to work, does his/her job (by the way it involves saving others lives and putting theirs on the line), then tell me please, what the hell it matters who they are where they come from or anything else. You want my job, step up take the test come to work, tough for some people, and you'll find out you want me next to you because we'll both want the next person inline to do the same thing.
7:32 pm
I never brought up race in this article. I made the first comment and my comment wasn't about race. I stated, D.C. has been a cash cow city for years. Lexus came out of left field by attacking me. My human instinct is to protect or defend myself.
Now let me go back to enjoying the Christmas music on WASH-FM 97.1
7:35 pm
I don't always agree with noodlez, tony, Really or anyone, but I respect their right to voice their opinion. If someone doesn't like what someone have to say, ignore them and make your point.
11:08 pm
2 Cents on the topic and discussion. Racial issues in DC 1st: I'm mostly white - my grandparents were either foreign or off of a reservation so I could give 2 shits about what color you are - my family never had slaves and I don't owe anyone a single thing for what my ancestors did. I was born and raised in and around DC - moved out as the city got worst in the 80's due to the drugs and violence which stemmed from a world renown broken system that is still "under construction". Never lived or could afford to live in NW- didn't come from money and earned everything I've got. I've experenced racism because I appear to be all white. DC has barriers within its own city because of different CULTURES. Even in the 90's i remember people "reppin'" what hood they were from. Uptown neighborhoods vs SE neighborhoods. Before its a race problem its a culture problem. Just look at the carribeanfest EVERY YEAR or all of the ZOO incidents after easter EVERY YEAR. Its the culture of different neighborhoods, groups, families not meshing well. Most people, from or not from this city don't understand the many cultures that are here. Its also poor upbringing - in my humble opinion its the families fault (for whatever reason they may have) That difference in culture often leads to racism - not just black and white but spanish, asian, middle eastern and many others. The whites and the blacks just make more of a shit storms about it in this city because they are the dominant races here. Having spent a good amount of time in Africa & the US I've learned there is a lot of tension due to how dark or light your skin tone is within its own "race". Would that be considered racism or colorism? Now if you appear to be black but you're actually mixed then who claims you? What if you appear white but are actually mixed does the "black" community accept you in this city - From my experience I would have to say it depends on who you associate yourself with. Blacks and White are both racist in this city because they are uneducated about the other cultures.
This city is very segregated and each "culture" in this city is raised to assume negatives about other races without actually getting to know people as individuals but to classify them as a whole. I've seen racism within races , black vs white, white vs black and every mix you can think of. I've been to white ghetto's, slums and trailer parks around the US. I've been to muslim ghettos across seas (not all muslims are black mind you) Each has a different culture, just like DC's black neighborhoods. There are white ghettos in Boston where they hate other whites, there are Africans who don't like black americans. If the people from and of this city don't understand (or are ignorant and don't want to understand) that DC has many cultures that don't mesh well it will always be broken.
2nd: Rubin - there are A LOT of factors that played into his spending. Filling vacancies left over from the 90's, Creating positions needed and filling them, the overtime budget was not filled with his "buddies" it was filled with the spots that were vacant and the spots he created (not saying all were needed but made with the intent to better this city). He was driven to create a bigger better fire dept and wanted the spot light in the process. He had a reputation of overspending in Atlanta yet DC still hired him because he was the most qualified (which doesn't say much) Rubin let the current chief stay on payroll while he was working as the fire chief in florida so that he could collect retirement. That was shady for BOTH chiefs (one being black and the other white). The cadet program COULD be a fantastic program if it were run correctly. Spots in the cadet program should be awarded to students who maintain a high GPA in school and have no criminal backround. That is NOT the case. In order to stay employed in the fire dept the recruits and cadets have to maintain an average of around 70% on all tests.... the way around this is throwing test questions out to raise their score - which has been done in the past for both cadets and recruits of both races. DC hired a fire chief (Rubin) who was known for his over spending (even if it was to try and better the city) DC should have done its research - it failed as always. The current chief has proven to be vindictive and a bully. Is he racist? Or is he just a bully that wants to "pay back" people who he thinks wronged him that all just happen to be white. What about the rumors of the 8 failing recruits who all magically aced the final test after going to church with the curren chief? He rules by intimidation not by respect. In my opinion I think both chiefs were shit candidates and the nations capitol should do better but won't because we always "settle". DC should not have agreed to such a high % of retirement but they did and it was contractual (whether we agree or not) But it should be based on the fact he's a man not a color. Happy Christmakwanzika
11:20 pm
If you argue race with a racist he's still going to hate you after an argument. Just because you are educated doesn't mean you are intelligent. Common sense isn't common nor is common courtesy. knowledge isn't power - knowledge in USE is. Know ALL of your facts and don't take them out of context just to win an argument.
11:39 pm
last thing before bed - the hiring process is made to be fair no matter what race, creed and color.
Take the test, get ranked according to your score.
Physical by Police & Fire Clinic - according to members of MPD & DCFD this is a flawed system. Where the errors made durig the checkup can cost someone their job.
Take a physical agility test that is supposed to be pass/fail. (only some candidates are informed they can take the test multiple times).
Move onto a back-round criminal investigation. Some of the new hires have very questionable back-rounds that are overlooked.
There are always loop holes in every department. The decision comes down to who you know and what you can get away with.
12:53 am
@ Noodlez as a proud black firefighter in DC for over twenty years I will admit that Rubin wasn't the best choice for Fire chief. BUT Ellerbe is a MUCH worse choice. He is trying to reduce the department by about twenty five percent. He is playing with your life (If you kive in the city as I do) and all of the people who work and visit this city. I bet you you are not worried about the missing three hundred thousand that one of our "fine upstanding" councel members STOLE.
The fact that you keep playing the race card at every turn is a slap in the face to every hard working black man or woman. Grow up and learn the truth. It is blacks just like you that are keeping the rest of us down.
4:22 am
Wow! I very rarely read these blogs because my experience has been that most of the comments come from people who have very few of the facts or any pertinent information. For the record, I went to Florida on an exchange agreement to acquire experience as a Fire Chief, not in an attempt to 'reach retirement age' as some speculate. I resigned when it appeared that I would not be returning to DC. I was not collecting a salary from DC while I was on the exchange agreement, which saved the city a considerable amount of money, and in fact took a $38K pay reduction to participate in the exchange agreement. Before any of you comment, research what an exchange agreement is and you'll find that they are rather common in the federal government and other local governments. I have never been "harmed" during my career and consequently have no reason or desire to "get back" at anyone, as some might insinuate. The reduction in personnel is part of the same legal decree that established the 4th shift and actually mandated that the 4th shift would sunset at the end of the third year of the decree. It would help the uninformed to read the Hammon V. Barry case that was presided over by Judge Charles S. Richey before speaking about issues that impact the department and the executive decisions that emanate from the decree and our current economic challenges. What most of the members don't know is that the former administration prepared a 475 member reduction in force (RIF) and left it for the next group to implement. We have carefully researched the best method to resolve the challenge without FIRING or RIFing any employee. The commensurate cost savings equate to approximately $36M which is nothing to ignore. We are pursuing incentives to make the adjustment palatable to labor and will hopefully come up with a solution that respects the taxpayers contribution to our existence and take care of the department at the same time. I just figured that I'd put some of the FACTS into this discussion and will not comment any further. This is not a race issue and it's not a locale issue. The rhetoric espoused regarding playing with people's lives is a sad and irresponsible commentary. The proposed shift adjustment is a return to the same shift that was employed from 1965 to 1987 when the first 24 hour shift was 'piloted' to see if members could withstand the stress of a 24 hour shift. Medical science confirms that the 24 hour shift is detrimental to the health of the employee, even though some feel that it's more convenient. The facts bear out that the second half of a 24 hour shift is dangerous to the citizens who call for medical attention (85% of our calls) due to fatigue of employees, which is why the medical profession is reducing hours for practitioners and why truck drivers are required to fill out a log to ensure that they are not driving too long! A little research into the history of the work shifts and the evolving literature might be informative. The decision to pursue shorter shifts comports with the EMS Taskforce recommendations and is a business decision based on facts, economics and good management. Any employee who has a question or comment that they'd care to discuss in person, should feel free to come to the Office of the Fire and EMS Chief for a candid discussion. My door is always open.
7:57 am
Why the hell is DC contributing 14% to their pensions? That is insane. I have to pay all of mine, and then I give the city about $14k a year that they waste on things like this!!
8:47 am
@NE John, pension contributions have been standard operating procedure for executives for some time now. Government has been pushed into this practice to keep up. I have no opinion either way - just providing backstory.
@FireDog: "I bet you you are not worried about the missing three hundred thousand that one of our "fine upstanding" councel members STOLE" - You are correct. Not only that, #29 has continually referred to the amount HTJ stole as "PETTY CASH". Comical, I know, but welcome to the WCP comments section.
11:05 am
@Kenneth Ellerbe, you are the man. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, BROTHER.
11:15 am
Mr Ellerbe,
Glad to see your response. You mentioned a fatigued firefighters from working 24 hour shifts. Isn't it proven that working a 3-3-3 schedule makes it virtually impossible to recover from in regards to their biological clock and alertness which will in turn have a prolonged effect? There is science and studies proving and disproving your 24 hour comment. From my understanding the fatigued technicians are the firefighters on the ambulance not the fire apparatus. Instead of changing the entire system, why not have the firefighters on duty work rotations they feel are the best fit for them. After all, the most well run companies in the world are ones where the "boss" listens to their employees. After reading about DCFD or DCFEMS or whatever you call yourself this week firefighters are continually back filling positions on ambulances(the same as Rubin Had to just not as broad scale). Ambulances that have been in the news for breaking down on a regular basis. As much as I hate rumors it seems DCFD's shop is under qualified to do proper PM and goes by the duct tape & super glue rule of thumb. Firefighters and Police are always very strong in their opinions. In my humble opinion, a good way for most gov't agencies to fix their problems is to have an open discussion forum on each topic , such as this one, that your employees can openly discuss and "think tank" without feeling intimidated for fear of repercussions. Create an event where they can discuss problems anonymously or openly. If you force a 2000 person company to change its "culture" you will never be a respected manager.
I appreciate your prompt response on this forum but it seems that many of your points are vague biased or defensive. There were other comments I touched on that were not responded too. Growing up here with many friends in many branches of this city, and having been affected by fire in the past. I try to pay close attention to this fine work force and from what I know - it's flawed from the top down and bottom up due to lack of or miscommunication.
12:06 pm
Mr. Ellerbe thank you for such a precise and informative piece of information. Also, I would like to thank Mr Gurley for his input. Overtime at OCTO Data Centers was paid for two years because Data Centers management refused to change work shifts and schedules for a few "favorite employees". As a resident of the District, there is some truth to what Southeast Ken said " The District has always been a cash cow City". By the way, not one manager that approved the overtime lived in the District.
12:08 pm
@Firedog-CHAMP YOU WAS GOOD UNTIL THAT BULLSHIT CAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH ABOUT HIM PLAYING WITH MY LIFE. YOU MUST BE ONE OF THOSE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK???? SHIT HAPPENS. FIRES OCCUR. FIRE INSURANCE PAID.
AS LONG AS THE FIRE STATION ON NORTH CAPITOL AND THE TWO ON GEO AVE ARE STAFFED AND MANNED IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THEY GIVE EFFORT WHEN THEY SHOW UP I COULD CARE LESS IF HE WANTS TO GET RID OF SOME FOLK WHO ARE JUST SKATING THROUGH THE BACK END OF THEIR TWENTY YEARS!
AS TO YOUR ASSERTION THAT IM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT $300K THEY SAID HE STOLE. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!
MY CONCERNS ARE ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF TAX PAYER MONEY THAT WALKED OUT THE FRONT DOOR THROUGH FENTY, NICKLES, BANNEKER VENTURES, PEACEAHOLICS ET AL THAT SET US BACK FROM ALL THE GAINS THAT WERE MADE.
ALONG WITH THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TAX DOLLARS THAT ARE CONTINUALLY BEING FUNNELLED THROUGH FAKE ASS LEGAL COMPANIES AND LOOP HOLES THAT SOME OF THOSE WHITE COUNCILMEMBERS CONTINUE TO EXPLOIT AND NOT ONE NEWS SOURCE, WATCHDOG GROUP OR ENTITY ARE CALLING FOR THEIR REMOVAL OR DISMISSAL.
SO YES $300K IS PETTY CASH COMPARED TO WHAT IS SEEING IT'S WAY TO THE POCKETS OF THOSE THAT THINK BECAUSE THEY ARE KEEPING FILES AND COPIOUS NOTES. SO EXPRESS YOUR ANGER AT THE PREVIOUS CHEIF BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID HE FUCK DC TAXPAYERS OUT OF MONEY HE LEFT FIREFIGHTERS IN THR WET SPOT TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES.
$80K IS A YEARLY SALARY. FIGURE IT OUT!
12:11 pm
@Kenneth Ellerbe - Thank you for providing a more thorough description of what's going on with yourself and the department. Well done, I hope people who read the article also read your comment. The whole 24 hour shift dispute is a classic repeat of the conflict of interest between labor's professional obligations and their personal preferences. Unfortunately, it appears that labor is more interested in retaining a 4 day weekend, or however you do it.
@Same Story - "If you force a 2000 person company to change its "culture" you will never be a respected manager" Sounds like you are part of the problem and not part of the solution.
@ Keith B - I concur. SE Ken has an overwhelming race related inferiority complex which takes over his entire thought process. It's unfortunate because when he's not ranting about how all whites are horrible, hateful, people, he can produce some thought provoking comments.
Don't waste your time on Noodlez. FireDog said it well.
12:26 pm
I agree that the 3-3-3 shift is a really bad idea. The firefighters will have to work six 12-hour days in a row! (Flipping from day to night in the middle of the week). Then only three days off, which the first day will be spend recovering from the shift.
I am not a firefighter and never have been, but it does seem like a punitive schedule, and not just to firefighters who live in the city but those who live in Pennsylvania. It is bad for firefighters of all races and colors. Surely, if the 24 hour shift must go, there are better alternatives than 3-3-3.
12:28 pm
I am sadden to read such hateful vile comments about other human beings. We are entering the Christmas holiday, the birth of Jesus Christ. Haven't you realized, the Washington Post enjoys writing race baiting articles like this to see the number of comments sky rocketed. I've noticed on the issue of illegal immigration, many of you go off your rockers by making racist vile comments. Whites need to wake up in this country, your numbers or our numbers are shrinking and we are dying out. The birthrate for Hispanics are outnumbering both blacks and whites in the United States.
There need to be a serious discussion on race, racism, and prejudice in this country between all groups, but particularly between blacks and whites. If there truly is a heaven, many of you will not go there becauese you have so much hatred and bigotry within your hearts. Until each of you deal with and address your own racist feelings and mistrust of others within your hearts, things will get worse and there might be race riots or a 'Civil War' in this country.
I pray to God everyday to make me a better person and not judge people or groups based on their skin color, sexual orientation, and their ethnic origin. Lord have mercy on mankind.
12:43 pm
@Same Story diff day in DC, if you or anyone else within the fire department has such dissatisfaction with how the department is being managed, then maybe you should seek employment elsewhere. There are millions of Americans who go and work in environments everyday that they believe could be managed differently. However, they are in no position to take exception with the decisions of management. While, there are some within the department who may be dissatisfied, there are others within the department who are very supportive of the Chief and his decision making.This is a dynamic that every CEO of any private or public entity faces. The reality is that the Chief has been entrusted with the authority of that office; thus, he is well within his rights to prudently govern as he deems fit. He need not seek the rank and file input before making key decisions. That's why he is the CHIEF. Again, those within the department who are so adamantly opposed to everything he does have options--Maryland is on one side of the border and Virginia is on the other side.
5:14 pm
This exchange is Exhibit A in any argument that FEMS has too damn much time on their hands.
It's like a Lotta
Damn fools sitting' on bar stools talking like damn fools
And, yes, they all got the twelve o'clock news blues.
7:00 pm
@Drez, I know we don't agree on alot but I was just thinking the same thing.
7:51 pm
@"Noodlez", You are a blatant racist. You freely use terms such as 'whitey' and 'honky. How is that ok? Enough with the double standards already. You are hateful and ignorant. Your opinions are worthless.
8:02 pm
@ Tony: You should do your homework. The District of Columbia (thankfully) decided a long time ago, that it would allow labor agreements, between it & its employees. The union which represents the Firefighters & EMT's from the rank of Private to Captain has a contract with the city, and by natural extension, the Fire Chief. There are many, many studies with varying results about a shift worker, and their circadian rhythms - not just those which the current Fire Chief would like for you to see. The current chief, and his predecessor rule with threats, and intimidation. Neither were very respected, for different reasons. The labor contract with the city, is just that - a legal binding contract. The chief - any chief - must negotiate the impact of such decisions with its employees. Chief Rubin did swell the ranks of the department - to fix an ailing EMS system. I remember all too well the days of waiting an hour & a half for an ambulance. Those days - since the implementation of the "firefighter ambulance" have disappeared. Response times - a quick indicator of an EMS system's health - are down. When I came to work for this city - they didn't ask where I lived. In fact - they appreciated the fact that I brought experience and national professional qualifications with me. This saved the city money - I was in and out of the Training Academy in a much shorter time frame than an ordinary citizen, just coming in off of the streets. The fact is - the four platoon system is being sought after by other cities, in an effort to save money. There are other real issues at work - things I won't elaborate on, because they are currently being negotiated.
@ Ken Ellerbe - Anytime you would like to discuss departmental issues, there are six individuals with offices on Bladensburg Rd., who are more than willing to meet with you. They spoke in favor of your confirmation before the council hearing - hopefully, they aren't regretting that decision.
8:40 pm
Ellerbe said:
"For the record, I went to Florida on an exchange agreement to acquire experience as a Fire Chief, not in an attempt to 'reach retirement age' as some speculate. I resigned when it appeared that I would not be returning to DC. I was not collecting a salary from DC while I was on the exchange agreement, which saved the city a considerable amount of money, and in fact took a $38K pay reduction to participate in the exchange agreement. Before any of you comment, research what an exchange agreement is and you'll find that they are rather common in the federal government and other local governments."
Why don't you make public the exchange agreement documents signed by you and the AFC who you demoted when you returned? Because it will show you DID NOT meet the very specific requirements of a government exchange. It was a sweet deal for you - letting you receive retirement benefits 5 years BEFORE you were entitled to, before anyone else in your class was entitled to. "Speculation" is that you had been so neutralized by the last administration that you saw the opportunity and told them you'd get the f*ck out of town if they'd go for the scam. It was a win-win for you and for them - assholes, all. Didn't the paper report you were going to get more than half a million in unearned or "early" pension and benefits. And the fact is YOU DID NOT RESIGN UNTIL THE NEWSPAPER EXPOSED YOUR CORRUPTION, PROVES YOU ARE FULL OF BULLSHIT.
I haven't found one DCFD firefighter yet who thinks you are not just f*cking with the department out of vengeance. I'm sure there are some but they're probably just as vengeful.
8:47 pm
@ Really?
We might actually agree on a lot. I feel we talk past each other quite a bit, and perhaps share core values, but different thoughts on the best course of action to advance those shared values.
Truth.
8:48 pm
*well, at least some of the time. :)
9:42 pm
If we are currently trying to REDUCE the workforce and cut costs then why did DC hire a class of 20 (ish) Cadets a month ago? 20 cadets X $44,301.00 = $886,020.00. Once you get these cadets into the system, they now have the power to bump out other firefighters with more time on department. Shady Move to increase racial numbers.
11:20 pm
Chief Ellerbe-Why did you call Ron Moton a "Fenty Thug" at the legislative b-fast??!
2:10 am
DAMN, THERE GOES THAT EXTRA IGNORANT ASS FLOOZEE "LEXUS" AGAIN, talking loud about absolutely nothing, ol' self hating heffa that she is! Your parents should'a named your young dumb ass PONTIAC, which ironically enuff folded as a car company! Built in amerikkka but NOT to last!
As for RUBIN, that ass clown has alotta nerve after the egregious amounts of money this fool mismanaged, misappropriated and basically wasted on DC taxpayers dimes, typical of the FENTY era! Not to mention the increased RACISM and onesided doling out of punishment for charges incured by blacks with lesser infractions in comparison to whiteboys who hailed from west bubba fukk in order to get dat good gubbamint job veiled in "brotherhood" of the Dept......
FOR THOSE OF YOU TALKING BAD ABOUT CHIEF ELLERBE, ONLY SHOWS YOUR IGNORANCE AND RACIST MENTAL, YOU SEE CREAM RISES TO THE TOP AND WITH THE MASS EXODUS AND RUNNING SCARED HERD OF CRAKKAS LEAVING THE DEPT. ALAS CHIEF ELLERBE'S TENURE GREATLY REVEALS THE "ILLEGALITY" IN FENTY'S ALLOWING SYSTEMATICAL CITY WIDE USHERING IN OF A "WHITE DUST CLOUD" THAT SATURATED CITY ROSTERS AND PAYROLLS WITH INBREDS FROM W VA, NEBRASKA, NEW YAAAWK, DELAWARE, MISSISSIPPI, SOUTHERN MD AND PA.....I COULDN'T GO TO NONE OF THOSE PLACES AND JUST GET A FIREFIGHTER JOB, WHY SHOULD THEY HERE?????
It's ALWAYS about race when it comes to WHITE men and BLACKS, is what it is, this is NO different and those of us conscious enough to understand that have so eloquently expressed tha TRUTH TO POWER on this thread here!
A hit dog will yell and these whitees here are yelling like a summmabitch!!
2:14 am
@ SAME STORY
AINT NO MORE SHADIER THAN THE BLATANT WITCH HUNTS ON DA JOB OF BLACKS, THE MASS HIRING OF WHITES SEVERAL YEARS BACK STARTED UNDER UNCLE THOMPSON AND FINALIZED BY RUBIN WHILE "KILLING" THE CADET PROGRAM ALTOGETHER AND FIRING AS MANY CADETS AS POSSIBLE AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY SIMULTANEOUSLY.....MAN PLEASE!!
3:01 am
I would like to give one more fact of poor performance and lack of commitment. I can’t figure how we forgot this one.
Ms. Cafritz house burned with a third of the house being destroyed. The nearest hydrant to her house was broken; as a result, more precious minutes were used to find a secondary “working” hydrant. There was a full year that the D.C. fire hydrants were useless because their pressure was not above the 50% operating level, while others were just not working.
Can you believe this? In a metropolitan city whose annual budget is $9 billion dollars; and this Council can’t get our fire hydrant working to save lives and property!!
I testified at a Council Hearing where Fire Chief Dennis Rubin blamed WASA and then WASA pointed the finger at DCFD. It was a sad and fearful period especially going into the winter and Christmas season. Dennis Rubin failed for entire14 months in not reporting to the Council the true number of fire hydrants that were broken and the progress of the repairs.
I was surprised that during this dangerous period that the insurance companies [servicing D.C. residents] did not take advantage of this down-time by raising home owner’s premium.
At the same meeting a vendor presented his plan to the Council for the purchase of several Fire Pumping Trucks [maybe not the correct term –it’s late] to increase the water pressure in the fire hoses.
Do you remember the Latino woman who left her daughter in her N.W. apartment just to have a lighted candle burn the entire bedroom where the little girl was sleeping? PEPCO turned off the tenant’s electricity; but that mother should have never left her daughter alone – especially with a candle. That is why a working fire hydrant is a life or death mater…a one truck alarm versus a three truck alarm.
I presented to the Council a white color ring that hanged over several broken fire hydrants in my community that stated; “ Out of Service”. I believe the blue colored ring means some pressure was available. Every day when I saw a white ring marker affixed to a fire hydrant…I was upset with this City Council; just thinking that their [Council’s] fire hydrant was fully operative in their part of the community. Perhaps, that justified their “I don’t care attitude” for scheduling Council hearings after hearings with the Fire Chief and WASA instead of paying to have the repairs done immediately –ASAP. And then, bill WASA for the reimbursement or fire Dennis Rubin – if it was determine that it was his responsibility.
This was a sorry state of affairs during Rubin’s years.
Wake Up Trusting Citizens.
Calvin GURLEY
your next Ward 4 Council Member
3:51 am
It’s late in the morning; but I have to protect our young adults who want to do right in their lives.
@REALLY…thank you for your comment and support for the Fire Cadet Program to be re-established in our high schools.
Whoever offensively stated that the D.C. Fire Cadet Program is a waste must focus upon the loss of jobs that D.C. contracts out to U.S. House Reps. and U.S. Senators Congressional Districts in order to get their constituents re-election votes.
Yes, that Federal Funding [annual allotment] has strings attached. In an attempt to balance the 2012 budget, why did Vincent Gray put back that $50 million dollar to fund the H Street Trolley – after cutting it out to balance the 2012 budget? The trolley was being purchased in the state of Washington [Oregon?]. And, that U.S. House Rep. gave V. Gray that early morning call to put his constituent’s money back into the D.C. budget. More lost funding for D.C. residents.
Secondly, our Council refuses to or is making excuses not to enforce the 50% right to work law in all D.C. contracts and projects. So residents are continuing to lose jobs because contractors and subcontractors refuse to hire D.C. residents to reach the required employment level demanded in the construction/ project contract.
Now, to make up for some of this lost employment – why not have a POLICE Cadet and Fire Cadet programs providing jobs for our young graduates?? That is a perfect {Life}map for young folks to follow from kindergarten to the 12th grade and then onto gainful employment.
This will and can give the most satisfying hope and encouragement for our children to continue school. Just a few graduates with a uniform, a job and an apartment [in the neighborhood in which they were raised] will be the shining examples for other youth and at- risk youth to follow.
And, as the next Councilmember from Ward 4 this is one goal that I must accomplish for our Ward, City and for our young residents. Let’s discuss this Fire Chief Elerbe.
Calvin GURLEY
9:35 am
@stiv-YOUR JEDI MIND TRICKS WONT WORK ON ME!!!!
10:21 am
Chief Ellerbe:
In your response you wrote "The reduction in personnel is part of the same legal decree that established the 4th shift and actually mandated that the 4th shift would sunset at the end of the third year of the decree." In reading the following case:
MARVIN K. HAMMON, et al., Plaintiffs,
v.
MARION S. BARRY, JR., et al., Defendants. KEVIN MICHAEL BYRNE, et al., Plaintiffs, v. THEODORE R. COLEMAN, et al., Defendants
You will find the following item:
Promotions to Vacancies as of March 1, 1989
5. Promotions to Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain will be made by using the lists attached to the October 2, 1989 Byrne/Hammon Joint Proposal to fill vacancies as of March 1, 1989. All those promoted from these lists shall be eligible to compete for promotion to the next highest rank in the examinations referred to in paragraph 7, infra.
6. A fourth platoon will be instituted by June 1, 1991, with the result that 24 new Sergeant positions, 56 new Lieutenant positions and 9 new Captain positions will be created.
The extra 2 year clause I believe quoted was the fill the created vacancies within a two time frame from the settlement date. { this was done }.
In looking at the contracts that the Wash DC, DCFD, and local 36 negotiated, This extra shift was used to create the current 24/72 work schedule. This schedule replaced the 24/48 with a pay back scheduled that was first created by the court settlement.
While I am not disputing the other items you wrote about, often because of one mistake, the facts that you quoted should also be verified.
10:31 am
You men can bash Rubin all you want too but facts are facts. Today, Friday Dec 9, Chief Ellerbe is working 35 members OVERTIME. Lets say there average hourly rate is $25.00 per hour x 35 members = $875.00 per hour x 12 hours = $10,500.00 at a minimum. Currently we are getting paid straight time for overtime, but have won a lawsuit against the city to pay us time and a half so if you fator that cost into it its more like $15,750.00 in overtime costs that are going to be spent today at a minimum.
10:34 am
Excellent post Regs1. Could you post the link to the lawsuit either here of on TWD. Thank you.
2:14 pm
If what Chief Ellerbe is saying is correct why wasnt it implimented when the Control Board implimented the FLSA 56 hour overtime rule or most importantly when he represented management when the union was negotiating the 2004-2007 contract.
2:42 pm
I clicked on this link becasue it actualy said something else. Bummer. I will admit that I did not read the comments. I find a lot of the comments racist and elist. People love to talk smack when they do not have to attache their name to it.
4:47 pm
I guarantee neither Regis or DCFD live in the city......bet my life on it, and since Chief Ellerbe blessed us with his humble post and FAILED to toot his own horn I'll do it for him, contrary to Rubin's costing the city MORE than what it signed up for, to the contrary check the facts, Chief Ellerbe saved, that's right, SAVED the city of Sarasota a substantial amount of $$$$ during his tenure there as chief, FACT!
5:16 pm
Ellerbe should check his facts first.
"The reduction in personnel is part of the same legal decree that established the 4th shift and actually mandated that the 4th shift would sunset at the end of the third year of the decree."
WHERE IS THE MANDATE, Ellerbe????? There is NO MANDATE for a sunset in the settlement agreement which is why the 4th shift still exists! Below is the pertinent section of the settlement copied and pasted from the agreement. Sections 6 and 8 - particularly relevant.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AS TO PROMOTIONS AMONG THE BYRNE PLAINTIFFS AND LOCAL 36, THE HAMMON PLAINTIFFS AND THE CITY
Summary of Agreement
1. This agreement sets forth all essential terms of the settlement of all issues concerning promotions which are in dispute. It will be formalized in a decree to be submitted to the Court.
2. This agreement among the Hammon plaintiffs, the Byrne plaintiffs and Local 36, and the City is executed simultaneously with Part A, an agreement between the Hammon class and the City on all other claims raised by members of the Hammon class. Together Parts A and B resolve all claims and bind all members of the Hammon and Byrne classes, and no member of either class may hereafter sue the City, any department or representative, or any party to the settlement agreement, with respect to any matter raised in this litigation.
3. This agreement resolves all disputes as to matters arising as of the date it is executed, but does not resolve disputes resulting from future events, tests, decisions, etc. that occur after the date of this agreement. In addition, this agreement does not resolve issues regarding attorney's fees and costs, and the parties reserve all rights on these issues.
4. One fundamental goal of this agreement is to enable firefighters who have waited for promotion longer than any party to this case would have wished to be promoted without further delay and to assure that future promotional opportunities will be available on a nondiscriminatory basis as soon as possible, and that equal and expedited opportunities for promotion will exist.
Promotions to Vacancies as of March 1, 1989
5. Promotions to Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain will be made by using the lists attached to the October 2, 1989 Byrne/Hammon Joint Proposal to fill vacancies as of March 1, 1989. All those promoted from these lists shall be eligible to compete for promotion to the next highest rank in the examinations referred to in paragraph 7, infra.
6. A fourth platoon will be instituted by June 1, 1991, with the result that 24 new Sergeant positions, 56 new Lieutenant positions and 9 new Captain positions will be created.
Promotional Tests
7. To fill vacancies arising after March 1, 1989 and before June 1, 1991, the City will develop a fair promotional examination for promotions to Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain that shall be administered and the resulting promotional registers announced on or before February 1, 1991. The period in which materials will be available for this examination may be as short as two months. The Special Master shall work with the City to find a way to meet this deadline, and shall have full authority to compel any of the parties and their consultants to do whatever is reasonably necessary to assure that the examination and announcement of the resulting promotional registers take place no later than February 1, 1991.
8. To fill vacancies arising after June 1, 1991 and for two years thereafter, the City will develop a fair promotional examination for promotions to Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain that shall be administered and the resulting promotion registers announced on or before August 1, 1991. The period in which materials will be available for this examination may be as short as two months. The Special Master shall work with the City to find a way to meet this deadline, and shall have full authority to compel any of the parties and their consultants do whatever is reasonably necessary to assure that the examination and announcement of the resulting promotional registers take place no later than August 1, 1991.
9. The development of these examinations is considered to be of the utmost importance, and the parties will cooperate in all reasonable ways to assist in meeting these deadlines and assuring the opportunities for nondiscriminatory promotions are present in the Fire Department.
10. The Hammon and Byrne plaintiffs retain the right to challenge the tests referred to in paragraph 7 and 8, supra, and any subsequent examinations, the process in which they are developed, and the administration or use of tests.
Announcement of Promotions
11. As soon as possible after this agreement is ratified by all parties, members of the Fire Department will be informed of the fact that the City plans to offer the promotional tests set forth in paragraphs 7 and 8, supra.
12. Prior to October 1, 1990, the Special Master shall indicate to the parties the plan he has found to be adequate to provide the tests set forth in paragraphs 7 and 8, supra.
Timing
13. Promotions pursuant to paragraph 5, supra, shall be made on or before 30 days after the Court's approval of this settlement agreement, but no promotions pursuant to this settlement agreement may be made until the amount specified in Part A has been set aside in a fund, as provided therein.
Joan Burt, Esq.
Counsel for the Hammon
Plaintiffs
___
For the City
Herbert O. Reid, Sr.
Corporation Counsel
For the City
George Cohen, Esq.*
5:18 pm
Are you grossly misinformed, Ellerbe, or are you purposely making a less than truthful statement? Either way, it is unacceptable.
6:15 pm
I would like to see a program in the high school were city residents would get a chance to train to be fire fighters, Let us not live in the past but fight to change the future.
10:00 pm
Mr Gurley you have not a clue as to what your talking about. Lord, please help Ward 4 if you somehow manage to get elected. Although according to you, you're already in. I have no idea where to begin in correcting your misinformation and half truths. Let's see, Cadet Program: There have been some good firemen come out of it, there have been some turds. The problem I have with the Cadet Program is that anytime you are dealing with public safety and peoples lives are at stake you can't just "give" people jobs as you would like to do. This creates a very dangerous situation for all involved especially the general public. The program does not allow the best candidate for the job to be hired because you are "giving" to one group of individuals while inhibiting another from being hired. Perhaps a better, more properly suited individual for this type of work. Perhaps not. Maybe some of the young graduates of this city are better suited for these positions. Maybe not, but an entrance examination and the completion of the hiring process should be the determining factor, not where you went to high school. This is still a dangerous job and should not be handed to anyone for any reason and that goes for the reason of "well my dad was a DCFD chief so I'm gonna get a job there". This job is not for everybody and the citizens of this city deserve the best employees they can get. Kind of like you not being the best candidate for Ward 4 therefore you won't get the job. I'm done for now. I'll correct some more of your misinformation later. Cafritz fire ha! You have no idea.
3:47 am
Response... stop ranting. Everyone wants the best employees for the job. That is why you have an academy...to train and to teach. What's the problem?
No one is giving jobs away. Stated; "... "give" people jobs as you would like to do..."
You are just ranting. Even when you complete College you still have to be train for the job. What is your hopeless point?
I am a former employee at the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] and we have A training facility at Emittsburg,Md. - the U.S. Fire Administration. Where are fire fighters get continual training...EVEN FIRE CHIEFS.
So, what is your point? Stop arguing with yourself.You have not yet give a substantial reason why a high schooler becoming a graduate who is enrolled in a Fire Cadet Program can not be a fire fighter. Except...that we want the best. How about the best TRAINED INDIVIDUAL?
Give me a better retort...is that all you got?
Part II
What can you comment on Mrs. Cafritz's home fire disaster? It was a fire...my man. And, the available hydrant was not working. What is the problem?
Or, are you the kind that just have to object and oppose any fact or statement ...just to let me know you do not care for me? Be straight about it.
You can not argue against facts. Now, if you don't care for me...that is your personal problem to deal with.
CHG.
4:09 am
"...giving" to one group of individuals while inhibiting another from being hired..
Sir, please explain this general statement that does not apply to the Fire Cadet Program.
Who is inhibiting someone from being hired as a Fire Fighter? The DCFD can still and will hire outside the Cadet program.
"...Maybe some of the young graduates of this city are better suited for these positions. Maybe not,...
This is a just dilly-dolly comment...with no intent or no substantiating relevance. Please make some sense of this statement.
Part II
“…There have been some good firemen come out of it, there have been some turds…”
Please do not label any human being as a turd. Secondly, what source are you relying upon to make this statement?
Clueless. I am an Internal Auditor/Accountant who makes evaluation and report problems , and issues recommendations based upon researched and gathered facts.
My brother was a former Fire Inspector with the DCFD…as well as another brother who was a former Metropolitan First District police officer. I know [somewhat of]what is happening in those two departments.
And stop hiding your name. Thank you. Chg.
1:26 pm
The fire cadet program is a great opportunity for DC youth. Residents of this city have programs to benefit them because it also benefits the city by having role models in the community and keeping money in the city. The cadets go through the same training as everyone else at the academy. I dont hear anyone complaining about the mpd cadet program, because all of you out of town people dont want to come to DC and work 5 days a week. Under the Rubin administration a lot of dcfd jobs were GIVEN to recruits from out of town who had family on the job and were placed in classes ahead of a lot of DC residents who scored higher than them on the entry test. I dont have a problem with the out of towners, but a large number of them are racist and hate DC and treat our residents like garbage. People like that do not belong in the fire department.
8:08 pm
Chief (I loosely call you that),
You state this is not racially motivated but here you are quoted as a saying that you are going to "make things Fair," while at a meeting (more like a celebration) of a group that is predominately if not entirely all black men.
Respectfully,
A Disgusted Resident
http://youtu.be/BAWNiE4PxRs
2:07 am
Let me get this straight, the DC government cares not if a person is an illegal alien using taxpayer services and taking resident's jobs (in fact they have "cherished" the diversity). They do care, however, if you are a legal citizen whom puts their collective rears on the line for persons they know and do not know but is not from DC. Also how many then cadets have moved out of the city over the years after they were full members of DCFD? Many is the answer.
BTW without the Federal Government and it's supporting industry DC would nothing. No jobs, no service industry to speak of , etc. Said Federal Government is supplied by taxpayers from around the country, while at the same time tens of thousands of DC residents consume Federal and DC money without contributing any. Thousands more yet contribute, but after "tax rebates" and "tax credits" actually take more than they pay in. Please keep this in mind the next time you attack visiting PAYING people into your city whom wish work, live, or both.
8:34 am
Someone should teach that genius noodlez how to use a CAPSLOCK key. Is that just a regionally colloquial spelling of "noodles" or a misspelling of "nude lez"?
10:30 am
@Drez...I agree!
@Clueless calvin aka out-of-state resident aka LIAR said. "The problem I have with the Cadet Program is that anytime you are dealing with public safety and peoples lives are at stake you can't just "give" people jobs as you would like to do. This creates a very dangerous situation for all involved especially the general public. The program does not allow the best candidate for the job to be hired because you are "giving" to one group of individuals while inhibiting another from being hired"
Please stop and you know that's not how the program work at ALL!
1) All interested cadets had to fill out an applications and they were required to take an examination that examined not only knowledge aptitude, but heath (included physically and mental). So they just didn’t get into the program because of where they went to high school
2) The program trained these kids (over there near the stinky water plant off South Capitol Street). This meant that they were required to report at 6 a.m. (some that didn’t transportation) everyday to go through real life drills as well as learn the various aspects to firefighting (i.e. like how to control strip mall fires). Each cadet was required to pass all examinations (both knowledge base and physical) before they moved on to the next level.
3) Did you know the cadet program was one of the few in the country that had so many women graduate?
4) So nothing and I mean NOTHING was handed to these cadets. They took advantage of a great opportunity to LIVE and WORK in their community. Not take advantage of overtime like a welfare queen to feed their 5 babies.
10:43 am
@DCFD Officer. It’s obvious that you haven’t read any of the comments and one of your DCFD buddies told ya about the article and how we called out the MANY which can be proven that don’t live here. So, you jump on the blog bandwagon to throw baseless ignorant statements cause you mad.
OK…
11:02 am
Chief Ellerbe,
A couple of questions. You state that a RIF of 475 members will equate to $36 million in savings to the city, but where is that figure coming from? You inevitably still have 33 engines, 16 trucks, 3 squads, a fireboat and a slew of ambulances and medic units to staff, which equates to billable hours that have to be paid in terms of salary. So even if you get rid of an entire platoon, you still have to pay someone to staff those positions. Is it your idea to have us work more hours per week for the salaries we are making currently? And if so, why not call it what it is, a pay cut for the people who will still be there? It is my understanding that if positions are there, than no matter how many people you have working for the city, there is still a set number of hours per year per position that have to be paid for, no? It seems to me the only thing the city is saving is the benefits these 475 people are making.
Secondly, say you are right, that working 12 hour shifts is safer for the employees as well as the people's lives we deal with on an everyday basis. I know that I have certainly rode an ambulance in the city while being up for close to 30 hours with not even a nap in that time span. But why a 3-3-3? Why not a 2-2-4? I don't think you would have the type of backlash from the members of this dept if you were seeking the latter. Or better yet, why not just put the ambulances and their crews on a 2-2-4? I don't think anyone would object to riding an ambulance on their rotation for 3 months of the year if you were to switch to this schedule.
The last thing I want to let you know is how people feel they are being treated by your administration. Members see the fact that you took away our abilities to wear anything "DCFD" related as a pissing contest between you and the union heads over the ambulance gaffe this summer. Transferring Captain Smith from RS-1 only strengthens that belief. Although I do not like it, I can understand the wearing of the button down shirts, to make the department look more professional. What I do not understand is why we cannot have on a t-shirt underneath that says DCFD or, now that it is winter, a coat on with these letters to make us recognizable to the public as to what organization we work for. Did you think members were going to go out and spend more of their own money buying jackets that have just the DC Fire & EMS patch on the shoulder, especially with no raise in the last 5 or 6 years? Members are wearing coats that say nothing on it, and the public simply is left wondering why we have nothing on to label us as to what agency we work for.
If it was your intention to sink the morale of the department to new depths I really don't understand why. If you simply don't care about how people feel coming to work than that makes you a very poor leader IMO, since this reflects on how people do their jobs. If this was not your intention, than I ask that you do something soon to boost morale, because you have a lot of disgruntled employees currently that need something coming from your office that make them feel like there is something still worth coming to work for.
I would love to attach my name to this but I fear the consequences that would result from doing so.
12:51 pm
@Really?,
I have read many of the comments. There are too many to read entirely. Sans attacking me, which part of my comment do you take issue with. You do understand that being ignorant of something is not equal to stupidity, right? For example you are ignorant of the lottery numbers for tonight. Nothing bad, just something you do not know of yet. If you wish to attack, please use a step above street slang to get the desired effect. Was anything in my previous message incorrect? Why?
2:18 pm
The city makeup has recently been shown to be up to 49% white. Why does the cadet class just hired not reflect the racial makeup of the city? There are no white cadets in this class. Why in the history of the cadet class has there only ever been one white cadet?
This is a serious issue of racial inequality that has not been reported and I'd like an answer.
4:00 pm
At CONCERNED,
well answer this; why have ALL of the last 20 to 30 recruit classes been MAJORITY white and OUT OF TOWNERS???
And while your reaching for more bogus, sophomoric reasoning to justify and support RUBIN's INCOMPETENCE, please note that it takes significantly LONGER a cadet to become a full fledged FIREFIGHTER in comparison to that of a recruit!
YOU people here are a joke, specifically CONCERNED, baffled, CLUELESS and unimpressed who all think alike, write alike and LOOK alike!
Go figure THAT!
4:20 pm
Quote seDCdude"YOU people here are a joke, specifically CONCERNED, baffled, CLUELESS and unimpressed who all think alike, write alike and LOOK alike!
Go figure THAT!"
Where is the racism?
With regard to the recruits. They all passed a competitive entrance exam administered by the DC government. If you did well you were hired ahead of those that did not, without regard to the color of your skin. The Cadet program, on the other hand, is specifically designed to take regard to the color of one's skin. Which one is fair?
If you are a resident, and you do not like "out of towners"( most of which know the city better than many "in-towners") then feel free to refuse service from them the next time they arrive at your or your family member's doorway for a fire, medical, or whatever call you can fathom. Ask them where they are from before you allow them to help. While many may care where the "out of towners" are from; as an "out of towner" I care not where you are from, what you look like or how rich or poor you may be. I will help with 100% of my ability. Wait for an "in-towner" if you chose, but that may be a fatal choice.
9:21 pm
The difference is recruit classes are hired by competetive tests, and cadet classes are hired by selective advertisement. My son never had a FEMS official come to his school and announce a cadet opportunity but we live in Tenleytown so I understand why.
9:40 pm
Whee-hoo! This is becoming quite a love fest-i-forum. I wanta' say one thing first. As highly educated Afro Am male, I believe dudes like Noodlez to be a white plant pretendin' to be a brother. Noodlez pleeze, nigga' - stay off you fool! Stop making black people look stupid. Most of us try not to be.
Now, Chief, thanks for posting and trying to bring some calm and logic to this emotional firestorm you created (let me correct that, Rubin, and the guy who could have been king, yourself). There is only one problem - that transparency dissipation globe you see blinkin' in the back of your eye just went into overdrive.
Me thinks that that you made a deal with Vinny to off set the 36mil that the City owes the firefighters for the FLSA lawsuit. Where did you get that number, 36 mil in savings anyway? The rabbit in the hat number. Where is Andy's spreadsheet? Oh, Rubin (Rubin =charlatan and I think that is a characterization most can agree with. Before we leave Rubin, I will say he defended the shift from that POS Fenty and Peterhead Nickles. The plan was created for a period of financial austerity, if real estate markets collapsed and the Fed payment to the District was reduced by 400 million. Don't give us any shit about it's relevence to "a new economic reality." Me don't like incorrect propeganda.
Second, the whole 24 shift thing is the schedule every major department is going to. The sad part about this, is that this whole fiasco has nothing to do with the real problem of the Dept - the impending collapse of EMS delivery. You think guys and gals are going make less mistakes and Rosenbaum cases will not happen again because of a shift change? Try bein' a paramedic in this City or a malcontented EMT riding the bus. They will put the next disaster at your feet because you took focus away from the actual problem.
This is all moot. I actually see what you are doing and you can't do it without negotiating a contract, so pleeze, let's lay it out. 36 mill in FLSA OT offset by 36 mill in a shift reduction. Isn't tat what it's all about? No one comes to the table and it's a wash, till the next man.
Can't say I blame you, the last bunch and the bunch before that pulled the wool over most eyes and got most of the OT (really, don't matter though, the spots were there). I say, make the Local forgo the OT - most are retired and waiting for that big, fat check (36 mil) and say you will keep the shift and give the hard workin firemenz there due (a pay raise) and quit thinkin' you are saving the City elites' some tax money. If you really don't know that's whose money you are saving, you are the one being played the fool.
10:46 pm
...working for citizens that allow a convicted drug user to be elected Mayor AGAIN... AND currently still holds a position within the District government. That's a heck of a challenge for any DC employee to work with!
12:56 am
@ DCFD
Yeah, where is it??
You sure you're an officer, well with your logic or lack thereof, I can see that!
Looka here mane, you're talking apples n oranges my friend, no way you can attempt to portray white out of towners as more concerned and in touch with the needs of the local citizenry moreso than native personnel! Not only does this reveal your lack of respect for locals, but it reveals your idiotic swipe at you're being superior, which we all know to be false!
If the likes of you do not like how Chief Ellerbe is handlin' bizness you can and should roll out! Get work elsewhere and stop faking!
8:50 am
Overtime issue... Ask yourself this... Why do Firefighters get overtime pay any time they work other than their regular shift? Everyone else in the country must work 40 hours without leave in that pay period before they receive overtime pay. True FLSA pay, work 40 then get overtime. Look it up. Lets see who yells the loudest about honoring a contract.
The overtime issue stems from need to fill positions and meet union contract requirements, not the Fire Chief.
Lets also review all the news reports of gaming the system, people calling off and trading shifts for overtime, running a brothel out the back of an ambulance, abuse of sick leave. How many “legacy” employees of DC over the years when it was required lived in MD and VA but had “apartments” in DC to skirt the residency requirement?
It is a sick world we live in when we use bits and pieces of the truth, skin color, and personal “feelings” to push our agenda forward. No one here is that righteous. Everyone owns a piece of this crap sandwich…
9:21 am
I hope that some of the rocket scientists who have posted nasty and demeaning (not to mention racial) comments here about their former Chief asking for what the city agreed to give him in writing and then failed to do rise to that position one day. Then maybe they will find out what it's like to take on a tough job like Fire Chief in DC's troubled political and financial climate and then get stiffed by the politicians when you leave. Sounds like the city made a great choice in selecting his replacement, and I'm sure that will work out well for you ... . And you have the nerve to point at PG County and make fun of them ?
11:21 am
@ Concerned:
This city is not anywhere near 49 percent white.
11:27 am
Ed Watch - Firefighters in dc get paid regular pay when they say "overtime". They do not earn time and a half pay unless they work more than 56 hours a week.(this still continues although a court has recently said this practice was illegal) Firefighters in dc work a 42 hour work week as a standard.
As for who was yelling the loudest, it is the city council who wants to fill vacancies. This is because of any recent chief's inability to correctly budget for overtime(which is mostly straight time).
So maybe you should "look it up" and not use bits and peaces of truth to push your agenda.
11:46 am
@Ed Watch a few things: 1. we do get paid straight time for overtime for any work after our 42 hours. We get apid time and a half for anything over 56 hours of overtime but we a not allowed to work over 36 hours of overtime in a pay period.
2. Residency was ended in the late 1980's. It went to Police and Fire living within 25 miles of the Capital Building up to 1996 and then anywere you want to.
3. Were allowed to trade regular assigned shifts but NOT overtime shifts.
4. We earn Sick Leave / Annual Leave and are allowed to use it. It we report off on Sick Leave we are to report to the Police/Fire Clinic or hospital for an evaluation and then report same to our Company Office. So their is very little abuse of it. I hope this helps.
12:12 pm
I’s sorry Mr. DCFD officer for not using proper English. GTFOH. It’s a freakin blog and if you ever step in here before you would know that many of us are long time commenters who has a certain style of writing. So you can obfuscate with your lottery and crackhead comments all you want. As to your question “if anything I said was incorrect” the answer is a resounding fuck yeah…all of it. The program was funded two ways one of which had policies that required that the funding be used for “eligible low-income youth, ages 14-21, who face barriers to employment….. Service strategies, developed by workforce providers, prepare youth for employment and/or post-secondary education through strong linkages between academic and occupational learning.”
There was a Caucasian mother (who lived in Ward 3 i.e. Tenlytown) who wanted her son to participate in the program, but because of the “low-income” requirement he didn’t qualify. Now her son had the option of going through the traditional door, but she didn’t want that and because she was a DC RESIDENT with a child in DCPS I respected her position. Her persistence paid off and other local funding was found where as 50% of the recruits had to be “low income” and the other 50% of the recruits didn’t have to meet that requirement.
So I think that answers @concerns questions. Oh and @concerns, the population isn’t quite that high and but let’s go with your number anyway. The number doesn’t translate to the percentage of children in DCPS or Charter school. I believe that numbers maybe 7% and the majority of them are in elementary.
12:53 pm
Really would love this last little nugget for all ya’ll out-of-state firemens trying to undervalue underestimate and marginalize some of the DC commenters with silly inferences about the demographic they serve.
Just know that as a resident and voter we can always lobby our councilmembers to change the hiring requirements and add that a certain number of recruits are DC residents.
I’m just saying?
2:48 pm
@Really? Lobbying your council member regarding the residency of the recruit classes sounds good in theory, but according to Title 4 of DC Municipal Regulations (regarding EE0), it clearly states the following:
"It shall be the policy of the Government of the District of Columbia in connection with any aspect of District government employment to do the following:
(c) To provide equal employment opportunity for all persons"
Technically this is not being adhered to as currently District residents are given preference points during the hiring process. That hardly sounds like "equal employment opportunity for all persons".
Does any group "deserve" preferential treatment? IMHO...no. The hiring process should be open, fair, and equal to all who apply. The traits that make for a good firefighter/emt should be the only ones evaluated when hiring. However, if the majority of the citizenry desire this preference, then I am in the minority & accept that.
It is my belief that the Cadet program has the potential to be a great program that inspires the youth to work hard to obtain their goals while at the same time being role models to the those who are their junior. But I believe the idea of hiring "at risk" youth, though it may sound good, can have several potential pitfalls if not handled correctly. At risk youth should be challenged (years before they are hired) to change the path they are on. If they are able to show they can do so by working hard in school and maybe even donating their time volunteering within the community then they can be given the privilege of working for this fine department.
@Kenneth Ellerbe
Mr Ellerbe...In the name of transparency, please post the way you achieve the savings by switching the Fire Department's work schedule.
Thank you
4:36 pm
@ Really? if your, "I'm just saying?" then why didnt you or someone like you, just say it and get it done with the council?
4:42 pm
I guess you never heard of first source. Google it baby! Laws can be changed by policy makers. Policy makers can be influenced by their constituents. Constituents are usually local voters (i.e. not you).
So “at risk youth” are the same as youth who happen to live in home that is below the AMI. Your logic says a lot about your Freudian belief system. Again, none of the cadets were “given a job”. I explained how the program worked but yet you failed to read that part of the comment b/c applying, passing an examination (physically and mental) and I forgot to add that it was a requirement for them to pass both a local and national background check (takes way that scary dangerous black man/women element) someone how translates to your thought process as “given”
And wow at privilege. One could easily say that it’s a privilege for ya’ll Pennsylvania and VA residents to work and receive the high quality of pay right here in the good ole District of Columbia.
5:59 pm
Lord help…@DCFD-LT with well…well why don’t you just do it than comment. Well ya’ll have a Merry Christmas…I’m done on this one. Since some of the commenters seem to take issue with programs that cater to certain demographics being allowed to utilize gov’t sponsored program (i.e. the SBA or those that are given more points because they are veterans, or for women businesses) to receive preferences.
No, I see now that there are those who lack knowledge and history. So what I’m going to suggest for you and yours this holiday season is buy a great historical book called when affirmative action was white. It outlines how this country has traditionally used gov’t money to benefit those who come for certain income groups and backgrounds.
Oh and you know that when one applies to work in the District that extra points are given to those who are District residents.
Just saying
8:53 pm
After reading through many of the comments there are several that I would like to address with REAL facts.
1. Cadet Program- The majority of the firefighters on the job DO NOT have a problem with the cadet program. We have numerous officers, technicians, and firefighters that are products of the cadet program that have turned out to be "model" employees and excellent "brothers and sisters" to work with. The "problem" with the cadet program is how some of the cadets are chosen for the position. A firefighter holds a "special" position of trust and responsibility to the citizens they serve and to their fellow workers. The cadet program should be targeting "honor roll" students from the local high schools and not "at risk" or "troubled youth". Unfortunately, over the years too many "products of the cadet program" have turned out to not be "model" employees and have tarnished the program. Also, for those that said former chief Rubin didn't support such programs see the link below.http://www.mayorsyouthprogram.org/pdfdoc/ChiefApril.pdf
Broken Hydrant issue from Mr. Gurley - Mr. Gurley you stated that during the time Rubin was the chief you were scared for your safety because of so many broken hydrants. I would like to clarify a few facts with the hydrant issues that the city has experienced over the past few years.
1. Broken Hydrants- WASA had/has control and responsibility for the hydrant system in the city. Hundreds if not thousands of the hydrants in the city hadn't been tested and were broken before Rubin. WASA and the previous fire chiefs didn't address the issue seriously.
2. Aggressive Hydrant Testing Program- A program was established by a Lt. Egan for testing and identifying broken hydrants in the city. The program was expanded by Chief Rubin and six customer service units that tested EVERY hydrant in the city. Those that were broken were "tagged" with the "out of service" rings that you mentioned until WASA could repair or replace them so the fire department knew instantly to pick another hydrant and not waste valuable time hooking to a dead hydrant.
3. Hydrants entered into database - All hydrants are now logged into a "google earth" program and every time a structure fire is reported the 911 dispatch center checks the database and reports any broken hydrants in the area to the responding engines. THANKS to the hard work of the DCFD in testing and addressing the hydrant issues that WASA, previous fire chiefs, and mayors, FAILED to address the CITIZENS and FIREFIGHTERS are now much safer!
I would also like to address the few on here that have "hateful" feelings for us "out of town employees". Before the 1960's riots DC was a diverse community full of all ethnic groups much like you see today. My family and friends of my family owned property in the DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. They were violently run out after the riots and had to start over in the suburbs. So, Please don't tell me that this is "your" city and "we" don't have a right to work here too. If it wasn't for those events I might be your neighbor today! But, you can dislike us and I think I can speak for all fellow brothers and sisters of the DCFD when I say, " I'LL STILL BE PROUD TO RISK MY LIFE TO PULL YOU FROM A BURNING BUILDING" as the DCFD has been doing since the 1850's!
12:20 am
@Really? I don't know much, but I do know that there isn't a council member who is ready to risk their seat in order to push a law that says equal opportunity is meaningless.
You are right when you say i am not a citizen of the District. At least not anymore. You know why? Among other reasons, it is too expensive to live in a descent, safe neighborhood when you don't get paid well.
But guess what? The legitimacy of my (or anyone else's) posts is not determined by the zip code from which it was sent. See True Facts' post about the cadet program.
"that scary dangerous black man/women element". This is where I insert your screen name. You are truly unbelievable. May age bring you the ability to see the inherent good in people.