DC Fire & EMS Chief

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

Box Alarm: 800 Block of Channing Place NE

Six story apartment building with smoke conditions and sprinkler activation in a 3rd floor apartment.

All fire extinguished.

Two persons being evaluated for non life threatening injuries.

Sprinklers save lives and property

[U.S. Fire (USFA) @usfire]

Heading out for summer travel? Test smoke alarms in your vacation rental. Safety first! #SummerReady

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

This week is CPR and AED Awareness Week.

Did you know?

160,000 District residents and visitors have been trained by @dcfireems in hands-only CPR and AED use since 2015.

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere.

Learn more https://t.co/lChDdGoR0C

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

Join #DCsBravest as we celebrate CPR and AED Awareness Week

Save the Beat: Community Wellness Day…

Thursday, 6/4/26
3 pm - 6 pm
Marvin Gaye Park/Riverside Center
601 Division Avenue NE

Be there as we cut the ribbon on a new 24/7 public Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

Box Alarm: United States Capitol Visitor Center - Small fire involving a space heater, extinguished quickly.

No immediate threat to the Capitol, Visitors Center, members, and staff.

[Anita Bonds @AnitaBondsDC]

@SafeDC @dcfireems Congratulations Ms. Everett. Enjoy your retirement.

[Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah @SafeDC]

Congratulations to Patricia Everett on her retirement after more than 40 years of service to DC.

Her dedication to @dcfireems fire safety education has helped keep residents safe and made a lasting impact on our community.

Thank you for your service.

[Scott Taylor @ScottTaylorTV]

D.C. Man Sentenced for Setting Fire to Apartment Building Where His Own Family Lived

Ronnie Bookhardt, age 64, has been sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison after prosecutors say he set fire to an apartment building where his own family members lived.

Authorities say surveillance video captured Bookhardt pouring lighter fluid and igniting a fire inside a Southeast D.C. apartment building in October 2022.

The blaze triggered sprinklers, causing more than $200,000 in damage.

Today, a judge sentenced him to 57 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release.

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

Last November, Camp Spark alum Karina Torres walked into a restaurant in Bowie, MD… and what happened next changed a little girl’s life.
Karina used skills she learned at Camp Spark—our all‑girls firefighting & lifesaving camp.
To apply visit https://t.co/3Hk7M83wMt

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are proud to spotlight Recruit Noah Searchinger of Recruit Class 414. Noah, who is of Korean descent, previously served his community as an EMT in Takoma Park, MD.

[Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle]

BUDGET NEWS: Now that the D.C. CFO has freed up roughly $400 million for the '27 budget (from decoupling and reserves), @MayorBowser is asking the D.C. Council to put it towards pay raises for union workers, remove childcare subsidy waitlist, restore paid leave component, HPTF.

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

At 7:47 pm @dcfireems was dispatched for a boat rescue.

A 35' vessel with 15 passengers on board was found to be taking on water and was located near Joint Base Bolling. 

Fireboats assisted with removing passengers from the vessel and transported them to shore with no injuries

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

Did you know?

During special events in the District, @dcfireems and partners pre-position medical teams and equipment nearby.

Having first responders already in place helps to ensure quick response when medical help is needed.

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

#DCsBravest from Engine 12 participated in today’s National Memorial Day Parade.

Truck 05 and Truck 09 provided a ladder arch with a large US flag for all parade participants to pass under, and honor and remember the fallen.

We are also proud to provide medical support.

[Office of Unified Communications @OUC_DC]

This week, OUC participated in the 2026 Mobility Safety Summit hosted by @UnitedWeGoDC by the DC Highway Safety Office, contributing to a panel discussion focused on innovative partnerships.

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

Keith T. Long, 58…

Soon after completing a 24-hour shift on 2/4/2026, Battalion Fire Chief Keith Long of @dcfireems went to complete an annual stress test.

During the stress test, Battalion Fire Chief Long suffered a medical emergency and went into cardiac arrest.

[DC Fire and EMS Department @dcfireems]

We especially remember…

Melvin R. Neil, 45, a Captain and Chief of Paramedics Supervisors with @dcfireems, died on the job Christmas Day 1996, at his office in Washington, following a heart attack.