D.C. Fire and EMS

A D.C. auditor report revealed public safety agencies spent nearly $220 million on overtime due to staffing shortages and high employee leave. The Department of Corrections spent $30 million with 704 employees below its authorized 1,762, while D.C. Fire and EMS spent $50 million despite being 95% staffed. The report highlights chronic overtime costs as a persistent issue.

A 6-year-old boy was found unresponsive at the bottom of a University of the District of Columbia (UDC) pool with no lifeguard on duty. Emergency crews stabilized him and took him to Children’s National Hospital, where he remains intubated. The incident occurred during a Nike Soccer Summer Camp organized by FourSoccer, with 30 children in the pool unsupervised at the time.

Photos show Sen. Graham being transported to George Washington Hospital’s emergency room by DC Fire and EMS on July 11. He later died after experiencing a sudden illness at age 71, with preliminary cause of death findings released by the District of Columbia’s Medical Examiner.

A neighbor's video shows Mitch McConnell being wheeled on a stretcher by DC Fire and EMS personnel on June 14 after an apparent cardiac arrest. The footage was captured on the morning of the incident.

Metro is preparing for a busy Fourth of July weekend with increased safety measures, including 30,000 surveillance cameras and enhanced staffing. The transit system highlights crime being at an all-time low and will extend train operations until 2 a.m. on July 5 to accommodate travelers.

Fire officials in the DC region warn that fireworks laws vary significantly across jurisdictions, with some areas allowing limited fireworks while others prohibit all types. Legal fireworks in DC include sparklers under 20 inches and certain non-projectile items, while Arlington County restricts use to private property and Alexandria and Maryland counties ban all fireworks. Violations can result in fines up to $2,000 or $1,000 and potential jail time.

D.C. fire chiefs warn against using fireworks, citing risks demonstrated with mannequins showing burn injuries. A 2024 fire in D.C.'s Oxford Manor Apartments, caused by a stray firework, displaced 80 residents. Nationally, fireworks caused 14,700 injuries in 2024, with 32% involving children under 15. The District plans a large professional fireworks display for the U.S. 250th anniversary on July 4th.

A man was found unresponsive in the Anacostia River in Southeast D.C. and pronounced dead at the scene. D.C. police are investigating the cause of death, and this incident follows a similar death in the same river area in May.