“This study was a significant step in correcting some of the problems that have plagued our fleet division for years”

Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Council Member Tommy Wells called it “an indictment of the management and maintenance of our Fire and Emergency Medical Services fleet – of our fire trucks and ambulances.” Below is the official DC Fire EMS press release and comment from Paul Quander, the District’s Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice:

“The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (DCFEMS) released a study by BDA Global that examined the department’s current fleet capacity and management practices.

“This study was a significant step in correcting some of the problems that have plagued our fleet division for years,” said DCFEMS Chief Kenneth B. Ellerbe. “The recommendations in this report will help us become more efficient and responsive in our operations.”

The report includes a comprehensive assessment of several major issues which include:

· Fleet inventory
· Maintenance and repair operations
· DCFEMS policies and procedures related to fleet operations
· Reserve apparatus requirements
· Training and certification of fleet maintenance personnel and facilities

More than 100 recommendations are offered in the report with some of them having been implemented by the Department prior to its release. One key recommendation implemented was the hiring of “a professional, civilian fleet director” to lead the apparatus division.

BDA Global, a District-based consulting firm that specializes in business process improvement, emergency management and continuity planning, was selected by the Department in July 2013 to conduct the audit.

Please click here to review the report.”

From DM Quander:

“There are many observations and recommendations in the report. It should be noted that in the report, it states some of the addressed issues date back 15 to 20 years. Some recommendations are short-term in nature and others are intermediate. While still others are long range. Chief Elerbe has already taken effective measures that have dealt with some of the most immediate issues. The goal is to fully assess the report, then develop a comprehensive, transparent and measurable implementation strategy.”