** DC fire chief demoted after ambulance repairs fiasco
** No charges for California man who shot firefighter aiding medics during call
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Ongoing mechanical problems with Washington D.C.’s ambulance fleet has led to a deputy chief being demoted. That is the word from the Washington Times (Andrea Noble/September 4) which said John Donnelly has been reduced to battalion chief from his previous position overseeing the apparatus division. Donnelly’s fall came after several articles hit the press involving improvised and shoddy repairs of EMS vehicles. In one instance a street sign was used inside an ambulance engine. In another case, an ambulance tasked with accompanying the president broke down. Donnelly was originally appointed to his position in March. He has been with the department for 21 years.
** A Fresno, California man who shot a firefighter aiding paramedics Thursday will not face charges. The Sacramento Bee (AP/September 6) quoted police spokesman Jaime Rios as saying the shooter mistook the individual for an intruder. According to the newspaper, the man hit the fireman in the leg after the former attempted to gain entry to the home via a window. EMS had called firefighters for help after being dispatched following a medic alert call. The call was later found to be accidental.
