nbc4.com news story

[BMIG]

D.C. Woman Dies After Waiting More Than A Hour For Ambulance
Story by nbc4.com

A 39-year-old woman's family says she died after waiting more than an hour for an ambulance, and a fire official says crew members did not hear the dispatch.

Cassandra Bailey, 39, was waiting for an ambulance at the Capitol Hill Dialysis Center on N Street Southeast on March 14, where she went there three times a week for dialysis, according to Antonio Evans, a friend, and Brenda Bailey, Cassandra's sister.

Brenda Bailey and Evans said they arrived at 5:25 p.m. and were told that an ambulance had been called. When the ambulance did not come, the family said, a worker at the center called again.

"She said, 'I have to complain because it's been over an hour since I've called for them, and they haven't arrived yet,'" Evans said.

The family said that more than an hour went by before a fire truck and EMT workers finally arrived, followed by an ambulance, but Bailey died minutes after arriving at the Washington Hospital Center.

Fire officials admit that mistakes were made, NBC 4 reported.

"Apparently, the crew members did not hear the dispatch. Clearly, the dispatch was made. For whatever reason, they didn't hear it," said Alan Etters, of D.C. Fire and EMS.

The department said that changes have been made to ensure that ambulances are dispatched properly. An investigation continues.

Bailey's family members said they want assurances that a situation of this kind will not happen again.

"If the ambulance had gotten there, say, when I got there, I think she would still be here in her place," Brenda Bailey said.

There is no word on how long the internal fire department investigation will take.

http:www.nbc4.com/video/8817972/detail.html

Copyright 2006 by nbc4.com.

[DrNapalm]

Fire officials admit that mistakes were made, NBC 4 reported.

"Apparently, the crew members did not hear the dispatch. Clearly, the dispatch was made. For whatever reason, they didn't hear it," said Alan Etters, of D.C. Fire and EMS.


:eek: WOW! How much longer is the Fire Chief going to let Etters make stupid quotes like this one? When the Media is out for blood, you don't cut yourself for them! I think a change in the PIO office is needed as much as a new Ambulance plan.

For whatever reason If you don't know the facts shut the hell up until you do! You don't need to be an "ex-journalist" to know that.

[Tk_3_Barman]

How can you blame Alan? Did he miss the run?

Personally I think Alan does a good job for us, for the most part. Besides, you believe that everything Alan says is coming from his own words? He has bosses too. He has to do what he is told at work just as you do.

I would rather have Alan talking for us than the Chief, who seems to do SUCH a good job when he does. :rolleyes:

[DvlsAdvct]

Its hard to believe that they completley missed the run and communications did not notice them not responding. I dont know the complete story. Often times these dialysis centers call a private ambo and when the response time is poor they then call 911. I would almost bet this is the case here. Somebody should check to see if that first call made to an "ambulance" was not to Lifestar, Silver Spring, etc.

[Tk_3_Barman]

I agree 100%. Pull the tapes and check it out.

Also, who is to say the person that dialed 911 was the same person who called the private ambulance company? They may have been under the impression it was originally a 911 and was not.

Very good point DvlsAdvct.

[DrNapalm]

You guys are making my point for me. There are so many different things that could have gone on here and until a full investigation is done to find out what truly happened, the PIO shouldn’t make comments like that. If you look at what he said, it was the fault of the Ambulance crew for not hearing the run. Furthermore if, as you said, a private ambulance was called instead of 911, then the fire department isn't at fault at all but the PIO already has the department taking the blame.
Come on this isn't rocket science. Think before you talk.

[EMS Only]

[QUOTE=DrNapalm] If you look at what he said, it was the fault of the Ambulance crew for not hearing the run.

If it is the fault of DC. EMS/fire it is not just the fault of the AMBULANCE crew. Were they in quarters when dispatched or were they on the street. If they were in quarters there would be more people responsible for this mishap, NOT JUST THE AMBULANCE CREW.

And I do agree there are a number of things that could give this a rational explanation so fingers need not be pointed until the investigation reveals the results. But please remember most ambulances are staffed with fire fighting members, so if anyone blames the ]"ambulance crew"[/B] they might be pointing the finger at there friends and back step partners.

[LETTHEWATERGO]

Remember the HALO SYSTEM has got alot of people typing expecially if you are at the hospital and you didnt remove the keys and someone moved the unit then u was placed in service by the Halo System. Just my opinion Remove the Halo Systems

[Backstep]

EMS ONLY I don't remember anybody blaming the CIVILIANS so why are you so defensive? We all know who is staffing the ambulances, we do it every day.

The point is that an investigation should be done before anybody is blamed at all. I agree Allan Etter has a job to do and bosses to answer to or cater to but that was a really dumb thing to say to a media rep. I mean with all that has been going on with DCFD in the media, do we need to add more fuel to the fire, especially if we don't even know who is really responsible? Not to mention the "bandwagon" that suddenly everyone wants to jump on, suddenly people are all coming forward with horror stories of how the Fire/EMS system screwed or mistreated them, and I am sure litigation is to follow.

One thing I learned this week. I did not know that firemen have been manning ambulances in DC since at least the 60's, on an on-off basis. You'd think we'd have a good system in place by now.

[EMS Only]

You are 100% correct. I was not trying to say it was being blamed soley on civillian staff (sorry if I made it sound that way). My thing is do not point fingers until all the facts are known. I am suprised Alan said that, but yes he does have bosses to answer to. And yes we will now hear even more stories from the public. So we all just better hold on because the ride has just begun.

[dcfdsid]

rumor and conjecture out there now is that the HALO system has been shut down. ITS ABOUT TIME.


Sid

[Backstep]

And yes we will now hear even more stories from the public. So we all just better hold on because the ride has just begun.

You are right. The door has been opened, now anyone who has ever called 911 in D.C. has an opportunity to join in the fun, perhaps by "tweaking" the story of what really happened, and get paid. I know dog-gone well that no DC Fire-EMS provider, civilian or sworn, would have treated that Mrs. Yin person the way she claims. Her story is obviously tweaked.

[Loo for life]

There is more to this story then meets the initial impressions or what I will put on here!

It is a mutlitude of errors beginning with believe it or not :eek: the caller who originally called 911.

Stay tuned was there screw up's yes are there many to go around bet your asses.

Sid is right that frickin HALO is supposedly off for now modern tecnology what a great thing...... :mad:

For gawd's sake leave Etter ;) alone he isn't much but he has been the best spokesman we have had in my 24 years except for a brief moment.

[Backstep]

I guess we are just gonna have to wait and see how this plays out. I just find it EXTREMELY hard to believe. I mean, how many times have you been on a run and had communications call to ask if you were still en route or if you were on the scene? I have and it sure didn't take them an hour to call me. The way communications is always calling and bugging the crews of the ambulances (advise your status on 0-12... status your DEK... Are you responding?... are you ready for service?... YOU ALL KNOW HOW IT GOES) there is no way an Ambulance crew got "Lost in the system" for over an hour.

[Greenshield]

Remember it stated that it was over an hour before a firetruck and EMS arrived, that says it all right there....COMM fucked up or a private ambo was called first.

1. If a unit fails to respond communications replaces them, calls the station, then calls the chief to check on their welfare if no one answers phone. That is the final word no if ands or buts. If a unit had been replaced it would not have been an hour enough said. I guess t our fearless knot-headed leaders didn't think about that before their knee-jerk reaction statement. BONEHEADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[Sucka_Free]

Not trying to play devil's advocate here, but everyone here knows the ambulance system in the city is fucked up! No new news there people. How many more news reports we have to see or read about before the problem is corrected? This has been going on for a long time, and in my opinion, it's not going to get any better until the city put more units on the street.

Personally, knowing what I know about the fire and EMS service. If I lived in the 400 blk. of Condon Terrace SE, and my folks were having a heart attack, I'd be pretty upset if the ambo that showed up read "Chevy Chase-DC" on the side of the box.