Some firefighters in Washington D.C. face discipline over a policy violation for spending their own money on parts and performing minor repairs to maintain an aging fleet of apparatus.
The Washington Times reports that the firefighters have been laying out the money and doing the work themselves to avoid lengthy delays and shoddy workmanship at the D.C. Fire & EMS garage, according to five department sources who spoke to the Times.
The firefighters say they would rather face discipline that accept the alternative of driving malfunctioning trucks and engines. They also don't want to be assigned faulty reserve vehicles while they wait days for repairs, only to find that their own vehicles were improperly serviced once they are returned.
The newspaper found that firefighters have been making their own repairs since reporting earlier this month that the department had lagged in purchasing new apparatus, allowing repair orders to pile up at the fleet maintenance facility.
However, D.C. Fire & EMS did take delivery of 12 new Seagrave pumpers earlier this month.
But another issue is that only two of the facility’s 23 mechanics have completed training for their Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification, according to a department spokesperson.
"'Nuisance' repairs get no love, so we take care of it ourselves," a veteran firefighter with Engine 13 said, asking that his name not be used for fear of reprisals.
Another experienced firefighter said he and his crew have fixed a broken seat in their ladder truck, and they also buy lights for the vehicle at Home Depot.
"Could the shop do it?" said the firefighter, who also requested anonymity. "Wouldn’t be bothered to try. Because I don’t trust them to get anything done."
None of the firefighters submitted receipts for reimbursement from the department since the work violates department policy
According to the agency's Order Book, "no employee of the Department will attempt any repairs thereto without authority of the Deputy Chief of Apparatus Division."
In an interesting twist, the Deputy Chief of Apparatus position was abolished more than four years ago by former Fire Chief Kenneth B. Ellerbe, says D.C. Firefighters Association President Dabney Hudson.
"The department has a responsibility to provide and maintain the vehicles they provide," Hudson said. "If they are unable to do that, it is time to hold the managers responsible for our fleet accountable and find competent replacements."
