Internal charging document released in connection with DC firefighters failing to help dying man
Click here to read charges against DC firefighter
Peter Hermann, The Washington Post:
One of several D.C. firefighters accused of failing to help a dying man across the street from the station in January told investigators that he did not know someone was in need of immediate aid — a statement fire department officials later disputed.
The claim emerged from documents made public on Monday that describe administrative charges of misconduct filed against George Martin, a 12-year veteran who had been assigned to Truck 15 at the station in Northeast Washington. In those documents, Martin said he only knew that a cadet was looking for the station’s lieutenant, but he didn’t know why.
But two other firefighters told investigators that Martin was twice informed that a man later identified as Medric “Cecil” Mills Jr., 77, needed help, and that Martin did nothing. Fire officials say Martin omitted that from an official statement he gave three days after the incident.
When 77-year-old Cecil Mills collapsed across the street from Engine 26 back in January, five D.C. Fire and EMS employees were inside the station. But none of them walked over to help, and Mills died later that day.
On Monday, the agency detailed the administrative charges and specifications leveled against one of those firefighters. His name is George Martin.
The document written by the Assistant Chief of Operations states: “In his special report, FF/EMT Martin deceptively and evasively describes the incident…”
Meanwhile, Martin’s report says he was: “Cleaning up after lunch, heard the rookie FF Jones call Lt. Davis to come to the watch desk…it was urgent.”
Martin also insists that he “heard nothing else until the run was dispatched.”
According to a city investigation, firefighter Garrett Murphy – who also faces punishment for his actions that day – told the Lieutenant in charge about the incident. But his special report contradicts Martin’s report:
“FF/EMT Garrett Murphy confirms that after speaking with Probationer Jones at the watch desk, ‘I went back to the kitchen and told FF Dave Dennis and FF George Martin that a rookie had a man down across the street.’”
Yet the department alleges that “Martin showed virtually no concern for this patient” and “rather than initiate a response, Martin did absolutely nothing.”
