Cheh Calls for Fire Chief's Resignation

Coucilwoman Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) called on D.C. Fire and EMS (FEMS) Chief Kenneth Ellerbe to resign from his position, citing her belief that the chief "no longer has the confidence of the people of the District of Columbia."

Cheh sent a letter to councilman and mayoral candidate Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), who chairs the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety on the District Council, asking him to demand a plan to bring FEMS "back into a position of excellence."

Cheh's letter to Wells and her call for Ellerbe's resignation follow a hearing last week about an FEMS plan to change shift patterns for ambulance personnel. 

She called Well's committee report on the ambulance plan "a devastating indictment."

"It is now very plain that the agency’s ability to respond to emergencies has been significantly degraded, and I lay that fact at the doorstep of poor management," wrote Cheh.

WJLA reports that Ellerbe "has no plans to resign and has nothing to say to Cheh or the rest of the D.C. Council."

Mayor Vincent Gray appointed Ellerbe in December 2010.