This week, I toured The Faircliff, one of the two buildings that will replace the Faircliff Plaza East complex, with Chairman Phil Mendelson and the team from DC Green Bank. Thanks in part to the Bank’s investment, this Somerset Development project, a sustainable, fully electric new building, will provide 125 affordable homes, and feature rooftop solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and carbon sequestering concrete. Ward 1 has one of the fastest growing rates of new affordable housing, reducing the pressures that push out low-income families and people of color, the communities that have made our ward so vibrant and resilient. I’ll continue to push for funding to ensure a path to safe and affordable housing for every District resident, and to increase sustainability and expand the clean economy.
WARD 1 UPDATE
Hello Neighbors:
Since the last time I wrote about the failing 911 dispatch center run by the Office of Unified Communications, we’ve had additional and very troubling incidents, including one in which the computers went down for hours and call takers had to scribble on paper and scramble to find units to send to medical, fire, and police incidents.
A baby died during that outage – and while it’s important to note that no determination has been made as to whether the outcome would have been different, it points out again that OUC is not prepared to handle emergency calls appropriately. Even advanced technology can fail, and when it does, there needs to be a backup plan and advanced training for staff. Dispatch took too long in this case and numerous others.
This is not just about tech outages, though – that’s only one part of a systemic problem, as I said to the Washington Post. The outages – we’ve learned that there have been eight in 2024 alone – are just the latest in a series of significant, long-standing issues at the 911 dispatch center that have led to excessive delays in call-answering at the most distressing moments in people’s lives.
D.C. should be able to do better than this. With numerous incidents, including high profile cases such as the deaths of 10 dogs in a botched dispatch response to flooding at a dog day care center, to other deaths and significant delays and errors weekly (I hear frequently from residents about this), you’d think there would be a greater sense of urgency and transparency at the OUC and from the Mayor. Frustratingly and irresponsibly, there is not.
As I told the Washingtonian, “I can’t make it make sense. This whole insistence on always being right is harming people.”
It’s time to make drastic changes at OUC.
I have proposed legislation to separate fire and EMS calls from police calls. Other members have also proposed changes. But even these legislative fixes can’t fix a lack of urgency and transparency by the officials responsible for the agency, or acknowledgement by them that there’s a systemic problem. That lies with the executive branch, and it is failing our city and our residents.
Wholesale leadership change must also be on the table.
OUC has recently developed a 22-point plan to address technology issues, in the aftermath of the most recent incident. This is good, but there needs to also be a more urgent response and a broader response – one that encompasses more than just technology issues.
OUC has been on my radar since long before the most recent tragic incident. In July, I sent a letter to OUC Director Heather McGaffin and City Administrator Kevin Donahue detailing recent 911 dispatch center failures affecting residents of Ward 1. I requested daily staffing statistics for the past two years; an updated list reflecting the actual number of agency mistakes for April; May, and June 2024; and copies of the computer-aided dispatch reports (CAD) of the incidents I shared with them by July 15. I also requested a briefing with the City Administrator by July 19.
Two weeks after the deadline, I heard back from the deputy mayor that they were open to a briefing. She made no mention of the data, which was to be the basis for discussion at our briefing. I’ve received no response to my follow-up demand for the information.
Here’s what needs to happen:
- I support the call from more than 100 ANC members for an independent review of OUC. Enough is enough and it’s clear that change will not happen from within or from the Administration.
- The Council should pass my legislation to separate fire and EMS calls and have them managed by a call center staffed by the Fire and EMS Department, which dispatched its own calls until 2001. They have the medical training and can get people the services they need more quickly and accurately.
- As chair of the Committee on Public Works & Operations, which has oversight of the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, I will ask about the tech outages when we hold a confirmation hearing for the nominee to that office on September 19. I will also ask what steps OCTO is taking to immediately reduce the frequency and length of outages and ask about their long-term plan.
- We must increase salaries and provide more and better training for call takers (WTOP). The agency is chronically understaffed – to dangerous levels well below industry standards. They struggle to find qualified staff, in part because they ask for so much and pay so little – roughly $50,000 starting salary for people who hold our lives in their hands.
- The Committee on Justice and Public Safety should hold a public roundtable and call key city officials to testify. They must answer to the public about why things have gone wrong, how bad things really are (share the data!), and most importantly, what is their plan to fix it – fast.
The Mayor, City Administrator, and the Director of OUC must acknowledge there is a systemic problem. It seems ridiculous after all that has transpired to have to say this. And they must show that they are working with urgency to solve the problem. They should hold weekly briefings to tell residents what they are doing and whether it’s working. We need transparency if we are to have any faith at all that OUC will do its job of protecting the residents of and visitors to the District.
Regarding the Charges Against Councilmember Trayon White
Many of you have undoubtedly read or seen the news that earlier this week the U.S. Attorney’s Office brought Councilmember Trayon White up on bribery charges.
Serving on the Council is a privilege and a solemn responsibility. The charges against Councilmember Trayon White are alarming and disappointing, especially so because I have worked side-by-side with him and have witnessed his passionate advocacy for the people of his ward.
While Councilmember White is innocent until proven guilty, this is difficult news for residents of the District and especially for the residents of Ward 8, who deserve honorable representation. The charges are also harmful to public trust in the Council.
I support Chairman Mendelson’s plan for an ad hoc committee to assess the allegations and make recommendations to the full Council for possible action. And I support his plan to remove Councilmember White from his committee, which has direct involvement with the contracts he is accused of trying to influence.
I am also greatly concerned about the apparent involvement of two contractors doing violence interruption work in our neighborhoods – including Life Deeds in Ward 1 – in the alleged bribery scheme that led to charges against Councilmember Trayon White.
While the allegations raise huge questions about the future of those contracts, my immediate concern is ensuring the quality and integrity of the critical services being provided to clients. You can read more about how I am addressing this issue.
COMMUNITY UPDATES |
Back to school
It’s that time – back to school season is upon us! The District’s guide has all the information you need to make sure you are prepared.
Help your students get ready at an upcoming event. Various agencies and community events are hosting special gatherings, and there are several to look forward to next week:
- DPR Roving Leaders Backpack Giveaway: Backpacks are available for students ages 3-17. First come, first served.
- Saturday, August 24, 11 am – 2 pm
- Kennedy Recreation Center (1401 7th Street NW)
- Fight for Children Youth Sports Day: Learn about afterschool programs while stocking up on school supplies and enjoying games, food, and prizes.
- Saturday, August 24, 10 am – 2 pm
- The Fields at RFK Campus (401 Oklahoma Avenue NE)
- Register
Scholarships for culinary school and hospitality management
Students and industry professionals can advance their education and career in the culinary and hospitality fields through the Educated Eats Grants.
Student scholarships assist high school or college-level individuals, while professional industry scholarships are aimed at individuals currently working in the restaurant industry.
Apply now. Applications are due by September 30.
Parks & Rec projects coming to Ward 1
Join D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation for an update on capital projects in Ward 1. Register to attend the virtual meeting on Wednesday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m.
CALENDAR |
Council offices closed for Labor Day
Monday, September 2
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B meeting
Thursday, September 5, 6:30 pm | online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A meeting
Wednesday, September 11, 7 pm | online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B meeting
Thursday, August 1, 6:30-9:30 pm | online
CONTACT US |
Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | [email protected]
Ariel Ardura | Committee Director | [email protected]
Abigail Boshart | Legislative Aide | [email protected]
Amanda Chulick | Legislative Analyst | [email protected]
Jerry Clark | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]
David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | [email protected]
Kara Dunford | Communications Specialist | [email protected]
Estelle McKinney | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]
David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | [email protected]
Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | [email protected]
