DC Council Upset Over EMS Complaints

WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. City Council members are angered over a growing number of allegations of misconduct by D.C. Fire and EMS. A number of high-profile cases involving the department came to a head following the death of 2-year-old Stephanie Stephens.

Chief Dennis Rubin finds himself in the hot seat.

The most recent case is a heart wrenching story of how D.C. medics allegedly refused to transport Kimberley Kelsey to the hospital last December. She says medics diagnosed her standing in her doorway and then left without her.

"One of the paramedics told me there was no reason to transport me to the hospital because I don't sound like I'm having shortness of breath. I was like how can he diagnose me? He's not a doctor," Kimberley Kelsey told FOX 5.

D.C. Fire spokesman Pete Piringer says some are misunderstanding what is going on when EMTs make a diagnosis.

"They are like field doctors, but obviously they have too, just semantics they have to treat the symptoms and some are misinterpreting as a diagnosis," said Piringer.

On Tuesday, the fire department told FOX 5 there was no complaint involving the woman who had to call 911 twice before she was taken to the hospital. It turns out that investigation was already complete and discipline taken.

On Wednesday, the fire department was telling a different story.

"We did find in fact there was a complaint. She provided information to the supervisor. It was followed up on. We can call that a complaint.
We considered this to be a closed issue and appropriate disciplinary action has been taken," said Piringer.

It's not a closed case for at least two outraged city council members. Some are now expressing doubt in D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin.

"Clearly there is poor leadership. The leadership should be accountable. They are not working as fast as humanly possible that creates stability in the department and that causes confusion," said D.C. Council Member Kwame Brown.

"These problems are inexcusable. These problems shouldn't be occurring. I have reason to suspect that this is the tip of the iceberg. The improvements we thought were occurring have slipped backwards," said D.C. Council Member Phil Mendelson.

As for Kimberley Kelsey's call for help, the EMTs involved continue to say she refused to get in the ambulance.

"They're lying. I did not refuse. I never refuse when it has my respiratory problems," said Kelsey.

The only problem with the city's account is they can't back it up with required paperwork.

"In this case there is no documentation," said Piringer.

That's a problem because department protocols obtained by FOX 5 dictate that signed releases are necessary for all refusals.

"I believe our personnel believed that she refused and she believes they refused to take her. Nonetheless, she did get some care, although it was 56 minutes later when she called again," said Piringer.

On Friday, the public will have their chance to tell their D.C. Fire and EMS horror stories. Councilmember Mendelson will hold a public oversight hearing and Chief Dennis Rubin will have to answer some tough questions about possible lapses in the fire department.