OCC7192
08-07-2004, 02:43 AM
DC Dispatcher Adds Deadly Warning To Memo
LON SLEPICKA
Firehouse.Com News
Washington D.C. firefighters and others who listen to radio dispatches to fire houses here were a little startled when a dispatcher ended the second reading of a dispatch with a warning to pay attention or they might be shot, Aug. 3.
As U.S. Capitol police closed down streets around the Capitol, senate and house office buildings due to heightened terrorist concerns, check points were established for vehicles traveling into the area.
D.C. Fire and EMS PIO Alan Etter said the dispatcher was reading a memo to fire houses describing how they should deal with the situation. The three paragraph memo explained the checkpoints and advised apparatus operators to look for alternative routes if possible when traveling the area and to be aware of the increasingly awkward and congested traffic flow.
It also explained that unless there was prior notification which Etter said was highly unlikely in most cases, apparatus should slow down at check points, “and proceed only as directed by U.S. Capitol Police.”
After reading the memo for the second time, the dispatcher added, “Members are advised to adhere to these instructions or you will be fired upon,” according to Etter.
“That was the dispatcher’s own personal thought,” Etter said, and was not part of the official memo. “I think it was meant to intone the gravity of the situation.” The dispatcher was receiving some counseling he said.
Etter pointed out that because of the terrorist alerts and continuing changes in operations around the federal city, first responders are working with a very delicate balance together and people have to be smart about it.
Some firefighters who heard the dispatch reading with the “stop or you will be shot” ending found it humorous suggesting if they had to approach the checkpoints they would go in with their hands up.
:eek:
LON SLEPICKA
Firehouse.Com News
Washington D.C. firefighters and others who listen to radio dispatches to fire houses here were a little startled when a dispatcher ended the second reading of a dispatch with a warning to pay attention or they might be shot, Aug. 3.
As U.S. Capitol police closed down streets around the Capitol, senate and house office buildings due to heightened terrorist concerns, check points were established for vehicles traveling into the area.
D.C. Fire and EMS PIO Alan Etter said the dispatcher was reading a memo to fire houses describing how they should deal with the situation. The three paragraph memo explained the checkpoints and advised apparatus operators to look for alternative routes if possible when traveling the area and to be aware of the increasingly awkward and congested traffic flow.
It also explained that unless there was prior notification which Etter said was highly unlikely in most cases, apparatus should slow down at check points, “and proceed only as directed by U.S. Capitol Police.”
After reading the memo for the second time, the dispatcher added, “Members are advised to adhere to these instructions or you will be fired upon,” according to Etter.
“That was the dispatcher’s own personal thought,” Etter said, and was not part of the official memo. “I think it was meant to intone the gravity of the situation.” The dispatcher was receiving some counseling he said.
Etter pointed out that because of the terrorist alerts and continuing changes in operations around the federal city, first responders are working with a very delicate balance together and people have to be smart about it.
Some firefighters who heard the dispatch reading with the “stop or you will be shot” ending found it humorous suggesting if they had to approach the checkpoints they would go in with their hands up.
:eek: