DC Government

Photo via ‏ @rescue1dcfd

From IAFF36’s website:

“In the continuing saga of the District’s ambulance crisis, there was startling news reports: several ambulances have caught fire. A-27 (Deanwood), followed by A-07 (Waterside) a short while later. Both units have been placed out of service – reducing even further the number of units now available to serve the city. Yesterday, news agencies reported that M-01 ran out of fuel while detailed to the Presidential motorcade, the same unit has had a non-working fuel gauge since at least April of this year. Local 36 has continuously sounded the alarm, over periodic fleet maintenance, the number of units available at any given time, and staffing levels. The city is still operating at a deficit in regards to all three – even though the Department is fully funded. Mayor Gray, and Fire Chief Ellerbe have done little to fix a quickly deteriorating fleet, nor kept up with the pace of personnel departing at an alarming rate. Their preference is to cast blame back upon the same hard-working members who are “doing more, with less” more frequently. It has become clear that Chief Ellerbe is no longer capable of leading the department. It is time for the collective voice of the community to speak out, and address the mounting threat to the public’s safety.”

From a DC Government press release:

“We are aware of an incident involving a D.C. ambulance detailed to a presidential motorcade on Aug. 8. The incident already is being investigated, and corrective action will be taken. Beyond that we are not commenting further, as our policy is not to publicly disclose details on any matters involving D.C. public safety employees assigned to the president.

It is completely unacceptable for a vehicle in service to ever run out of gasoline. Every morning, our crews are instructed to refuel and ensure their vehicle has a full tank. It is important that our employees are consistent to detail while performing their duties, because the goal of our mission is to keep everyone in the District safe.

George Ogilvie of the United States Secret Service, said his agency “works closely and on a continuous basis with D.C. Fire and EMS. Any issues with equipment related to the movement on Thursday 8/8/13, were dealt with quickly and efficiently and there was no break in ambulance coverage for the motorcade.”

@rescue1dcfd, who tweeted the photo above, write:

“Third time in under two weeks that this has happened in the Nation’s Capitol”

From the Mayor’s Office:

“The Mayor’s Office of Victim Services will join with community service providers, leading sexual assault prevention experts and law enforcement officials throughout the D.C. area, to launch a new, District-wide initiative to address sexual assault and dating violence through the use of technology.

For the first time, 33 life-saving assault response resources throughout the entire District have been united in an all-in-one tool for DC residents: the new Assault. Services. Knowledge. Washington, DC (ASK DC) mobile application and website. No other city or state has created a resource this comprehensive.

The new ASK DC app provides quick access to immediate medical help and law enforcement, 24-hour support hotlines and online chats, and District-specific community resources. As part of the ASK DC initiative, a series of trainings will be hosted throughout the city focusing on how to use the ASK DC app, bystander intervention strategies, and sexual assault response protocols. Training participants will include Capitol Hill staffers, law enforcement, other non-profits, local churches, deaf and hard-of-hearing, military families, and military personnel. (more…)

“Dear PoPville,

Take a look at this ludicrous situation – people in my building have been trying to get the alley in between Columbia and Irving on 14th Street cleaned for weeks. But DC 311 continuously passes the buck!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user rpmaxwell

Thanks to a reader for sending word. You can see each individual library’s new hours here.

More time to print in 3D!

“Dear PoPville,

I have seen this license plate now and then and I can never make out what it is. It definitely has a DC theme but I’m curious to know what these are all about. Does anyone have any information on this type of license plate?”

DC DMV tells us it is “a low tag, and they are assigned by the Mayor or the Council.” I guess it’s to reward political allies. Not the most impressive of rewards but I guess some folks like them.

We’ve previously spoken about other specialty license plates here.

Photo taken 515PM Thursday.

“Dear PoPville,

Recently the city decided to change the traffic light timing on the signal at 16th and Military Rd, southbound side. The result is a ridiculous amount of new traffic where there previously was none. I asked one of the S2/4 bus drivers about it, and she said that the signal’s green time has been reduced by about 1/2, yet the buses are still expected to stick to their original schedules. This is poor planning on the city’s part and has made life more difficult for bus drivers, city residents and commuters alike.”

“Dear PoPville,

I got a parking ticket the other day. This ticket is complete B.S. An overgrown tree clearly obscures the sign. I’ve enclosed 4 pictures of the parking spot. Note that the car pictured is not mine, but my car was parked where the car is parked in the pictures. The third picture is actually a close up of the sign, and even then you can barely see the sign.

What’s worse is that the officer had the gall to write “Sign Clearly Visible Front.” I’m contesting the ticket, but it disturbs me that a public servant has made a written statement that is clearly a lie. How many other false tickets has this officer written?”

More photos after the jump. (more…)