Until yesterday, I was unaware that the District's firefighters work eight 24-hour shifts a month, and that 40 percent of them live over 30 miles away from the city. These may seem like disconnected little factoids, but they're playing into what could well be a nasty battle between firefighters and the District over how much they should work. more ›

Good morning, Washington. There’s quite a bit of gray in the forecast for the next few days -- meteorological and otherwise. Clouds will increase over the District with a chance of showers in the suburbs this afternoon, and this morning Mike Allen reports that the bipartisan deficit supercommittee will declare failure Monday. more ›

UPDATE: It looks like all the streets which were closed due to the investigation have been reopened. Authorities are still on the scene investigating; no injuries have been reported. more ›

Right now, the District's firefighters are responding to the scene of a motor vehicle accident at North Capitol Street and New York Avenue NE. The accident involved a Metrobus and injured at least six people. Of course, if you're only following the official D.C. Fire and EMS Twitter feed -- previously the city's go-to source for this kind of breaking information -- you had no idea. more ›

Nothing says "way to go guys" for saving my home and all my worldly possessions like a case of beer. But according to D.C. Fire Department Chief Kenneth Ellerbe, a fire station is no place for sudsy goodness. more ›

A group of five teenagers reportedly broke into and ransacked a D.C. firehouse while firefighters were on a call Tuesday morning. more ›

Maurice Dews, who stands accused of three counts of arson, including one fire which led to the injury of several firefighters on April 8, will appear in court tomorrow morning after being ruled competent to stand trial. more ›

DC WASA and the D.C. Fire & EMS Department provided Mayor Fenty's office with a list of potential trouble spots for water-related firefighting issues in the wake of the big fire at Peggy Cooper Cafritz's house, and WUSA9 has a copy. Among the reasons given why an area might be listed are "small water mains, hydrant configuration, topography, access, and the possibility of private hydrants not regulated by WASA." Fire Department spokesperson Pete Piringer is also quoted urging residents not to panic if your neighborhood or building is on the list. "He says the fire department has put plans in place to make sure there is an adequate water supply to fight fires." Recent evidence notwithstanding, apparently. Full list after the jump. more ›

The Washington Times reports that D.C. Fire/EMS and WMATA aren't happy with each other in terms of how the two agencies communicated the details of yesterday's crash:

Fire officials stated bluntly Monday night that Metro's original description of the accident understated its magnitude, and it was only when the first rescuers arrived at the scene that the sort of help needed was finally summoned. more ›

We got several tips about a car catching fire on 17th Street NW near K, right by Farragut Square a little while ago. Reader Brett Andriesen was kind enough to send in this image from his phone - looks like the fire department already has the situation under control. Hope that wasn't your green SUV (looks like an Explorer maybe?). more ›

An AP story is making the rounds of the broadcast outlets (WTOP has some of its own reporting as well) about how D.C. firefighters rescued a bunch of baby ducklings from a storm drain near 16th and U Streets NW early this morning. Neighbors called the fire department after the mama duck alerted them to her babies' predicament with her incessant honking. From WTOP: "Three firefighters from Engine Company No. 9, which is right next to the alley, went into action, pulling off the drain's cover and getting out a bucket. One held the legs of Sgt. Michael Engels as he reached down and scooped the swimming ducks into the bucket." Pretty cute. All the little ducklings are safe and sound and have been turned over to animal control. more ›

A fire broke out in a third-floor residence in the Park Towers apartment building at 2440 16th Street NW. The District of Columbia Fire Department was able to put out the fire by approximately 3 p.m. this afternoon, before it spread to any other units. No one was injured. One DCFD firefighter said that the burned unit was rendered "untenable." A DCFD investigator had not yet determined the cause of the fire by the time the story went to print. No smoke or other evidence of the fire was visible from the street, though one window appeared to be shattered and sealed over with plastic. Traffic on 16th Street piled up as fire engines and squad cars blocked off the southbound lane between Euclid and Florida along Malcolm X Park. more ›

An update on this morning's fire in the 1000 block of F Street NW, from the Post. Five firefighters who responded to the two-alarm blaze required medical care after the fire was contained: one broke his hand, and four others were treated for medical issues related to exertion, including elevated blood pressure. It also looks like the building in question was the one that housed that D.C.-themed souvenir shop, though the fire began in a vacant part of the building. The souvenir shop sustained heavy water damage. No civilian injuries have been reported. Roads should be cleared for the evening commute. more ›

Last night WJLA went with a story about how 28 percent of the District's firefighters failed to pass the national registry exam for EMTs. The city's emergency responders are now required to pass the national test under an agreement reached between the District and the family of late New York Times reporter David Rosenbaum, who died due to EMT negligence. I realize that in post-Sept. 11 America, all firefighters are heroes and you're not supposed to say anything bad about them ever, but I'm about to break that rule. If you want to read some seriously whiny, high school-style complaining, read the story. Grown men who fight fires for a living took the time to tell a local TV news station that they feel this nationally accepted test wasn't fair and that the department didn't help them prepare enough. Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth Crosswhite has the most reasonable reaction: "You have to take a look at yourself in the mirror and say did I do everything that I could do to pass this test? Did I study on my own? Did I ask for help?" The department allows those who failed the exam three more chances, so buckle down and study, guys. more ›