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Incoming D.C. Fire Chief Faces Multiple Department Problems
ROBY CHAVEZ
WTTG
Reprinted with Permission
WASHINGTON - D.C.'s new fire chief, Kenneth Ellerbe, is speaking out following a FOX 5 investigation report detailing one firefighter who made hundreds of thousands of dollars in overtime for years. One D.C. Council Member called it outright abuse.
Ellerbe says he wants transparency and accountability and promises it will happen quickly.
On Monday, a FOX 5 report explained how one firefighter took home more than $300,000 dollars in pay during the last two years because of the extreme amount of overtime he earned. Payroll records obtained by FOX 5 shows he racked up nearly 2,500 hours in overtime the last two years and he earned more than $153,000 dollars in overtime pay.
Ellerbe also commented about another FOX 5 investigation involving the case of Natalie Overton. She has been on paid administrative leave for possibly as long as three years as the department sat on her discipline case. During that time, she earned as much as $255,000.
Ellerbe is now inheriting these problems and during his first interview as DC Fire and EMS Chief with FOX 5, he admitted the department has some major issues.
The chief hinted that fairness is an issue and he doesn't like what has been happening. He promised a top-to-bottom review of the department and said that even top brass will be held accountable if necessary.
Ellerbe also said he will stick to the guidelines set by the council, which means overtime is capped at $20,000.
Ellerbe says he has already spoken to D.C. Council Member Phil Mendelson and the Union Leadership.
As fire chief, Ellerbe will have to deal with a class action discrimination lawsuit, allegations of disparity in pay and discipline among members. Ellerbe said it is possible that an outside panel will be necessary, like a civilian review panel, to assure transparency.
Ellerbe comes to the department as a 27-year firefighter veteran. He was the former deputy fire chief for D.C. Fire and EMS and was most recently the fire chief in Sarasota, Fla.
WTTG
Reprinted with Permission
WASHINGTON - D.C.'s new fire chief, Kenneth Ellerbe, is speaking out following a FOX 5 investigation report detailing one firefighter who made hundreds of thousands of dollars in overtime for years. One D.C. Council Member called it outright abuse.
Ellerbe says he wants transparency and accountability and promises it will happen quickly.
On Monday, a FOX 5 report explained how one firefighter took home more than $300,000 dollars in pay during the last two years because of the extreme amount of overtime he earned. Payroll records obtained by FOX 5 shows he racked up nearly 2,500 hours in overtime the last two years and he earned more than $153,000 dollars in overtime pay.
Ellerbe also commented about another FOX 5 investigation involving the case of Natalie Overton. She has been on paid administrative leave for possibly as long as three years as the department sat on her discipline case. During that time, she earned as much as $255,000.
Ellerbe is now inheriting these problems and during his first interview as DC Fire and EMS Chief with FOX 5, he admitted the department has some major issues.
The chief hinted that fairness is an issue and he doesn't like what has been happening. He promised a top-to-bottom review of the department and said that even top brass will be held accountable if necessary.
Ellerbe also said he will stick to the guidelines set by the council, which means overtime is capped at $20,000.
Ellerbe says he has already spoken to D.C. Council Member Phil Mendelson and the Union Leadership.
As fire chief, Ellerbe will have to deal with a class action discrimination lawsuit, allegations of disparity in pay and discipline among members. Ellerbe said it is possible that an outside panel will be necessary, like a civilian review panel, to assure transparency.
Ellerbe comes to the department as a 27-year firefighter veteran. He was the former deputy fire chief for D.C. Fire and EMS and was most recently the fire chief in Sarasota, Fla.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Earl Gregory on
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$300,000.00 in two years?? Hell, I didn't make that in total in 10 years when I was in and we got NO overtime pay. Things sure have changed since the 70's.
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Permalink Reply by Patti Walz on
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Good luck to the incoming Chief. I hope he gets it fixed....
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Permalink Reply by capcityff on
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You have to work a certain number of hours in a pay period to make actual overtime pay. The city owes everyone money. This is just one person. Most don't make that much in DC. You start at only $44000 in what's now the 3rd most expensive city in the nation. We really don't make that much at all. That person also worked all of that time. It's not like he was given free money.
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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The new chief did a good job on dealing with the interview, most would not even go near a news station plus he never really answered any of the questions. Threw around the same "hard look", "transparency" quotes.
As far as overtime, if the guy actually worked the hours then it is truly his money. Thing is how did one guy get that much more opportunity then the others? As far as the female, 3 years on administrative leave. If she was sent home with pay for an investigation, how is it her fault that the administration didn't resolve the situation in a timely manner? You stay home and collect... thats the way it is.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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That person also worked all of that time. It's not like he was given free money.
It also helps to note that when working that much to make that much in OT, the trade off is a personal life. Fine if the guy is single etc, but it does mean that you really don't have much time off either.
It always seems there are people to bust on a public worker making OT etc and even a large amount, but rarely seem to factor in the sacrifices made in order to earn that money. This isn't like some hedge fund investor nor oil tycoon who can make that much money in a day.
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So far the new changes that I'm hearing about are absolutely terrible. The little morale left is going to be gone if these certain things happen.
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Sorry Cap.
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