D.C. Fire Chief Promises Changes in Wake of Times Reporter's Death

By: While partly blaming uncommitted employees, District of Columbia Fire Chief Adrian H. Thompson assured city leaders Monday that departmental problems outlined in a report regarding the death of a New York Times journalist would be corrected.

Last week's inspector general's report on the Jan. 6 death of David Rosenbaum found not only errors by personnel responding to the emergency call, but also what were called "significant performance management issues."

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In hours of testimony before the D.C. Council's judiciary committee, Thompson pinned some of the blame on employees who have "no commitment to service," but said his department will seek out those who demonstrate the apathy and indifference noted in the report.

One emergency medical technician on the Rosenbaum call was fired after the report was released Friday night and Thompson told the committee that the department is also looking at terminating others involved in the case.

However, despite the promises of making things better both Council Chair Linda Cropp and fellow Councilman Adrian Fenty say Thompson should be removed.

"I don't think there's any question that chief has to be replaced," Fenty said. Cropp also released a statement calling for Thompson's firing or resignation. Cropp and Fenty are both running for mayor.

Thompson told reporters after the hearing that he didn't believe his resignation would help the situation. Mayor Anthony A. Williams said he has not made a decision on the chief's future.

Rosenbaum was beaten and robbed near his Northwest Washington home. Once an EMT arrived, no effort was made to determine whether he suffered a stroke, head trauma, or other injury, the report said.

Additionally, an ambulance bypassed the closest hospital and took Rosenbaum to Howard University Hospital, nearly two miles farther away. Nurses there incorrectly classified him as intoxicated and failed to check his vital signs regularly, the report said.

The inspector general also concluded that three D.C. police officers who responded failed to secure the scene or conduct an adequate preliminary investigation.

Thompson said that within days of the attack, his department assessed its response, identified areas that needed improvement and made significant changes.

Some improvements include developing a new patient care report for first responders, revamping the EMT training, providing remedial training and establishing new performance measures for life support.

But committee chairman Phil Mendelson told Thompson that the fundamental issue is public confidence and the quality of the district's emergency response.

"We'll have to do better," he said.

Rosenbaum's brother, Marcus, and others who testified agreed, saying that the council and the mayor need to look at the people at the top, in addition to police, fire and hospital personnel involved in the case.

George R. Clark, president of the D.C. Federation of Citizens Associations, called the report "shocking" and said its findings tell "everyone they are in grave danger if they need emergency services."