Ellerbe. Photo by Sarah Anne Hughes.

At a press conference held today in front of Engine Company 2 in Northwest D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray, flanked by Chief Kenneth Ellerbe and Deputy Mayor Paul Quander, said the Fire and EMS Department will add 30 new ambulances by the end of the year.

The heavily criticized Ellerbe several times called the news a “turning point” for the department, which has been faulted for slow response times, understaffing, poorly maintained equipment and, most recently, ambulance fires.

The delivery breaks down like this: Six new ambulances will arrive in August, seven in September, four in October, seven in November, and six in December.

The department has also hired nine single-role paramedics and currently has 60 firefighter cadets in training. Ellerbe said 125 paramedic candidates were interviewed and stressed the difficultly of finding qualified professionals.

Once again, Gray stood by Ellerbe, who Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) has called for to step down. Gray said he’s “really pleased with the progress [Ellerbe’s] made,” adding later that the department is “being managed well.”

Ellerbe said he would resubmit the redeployment plan that was rejected by Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), the head of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety. The chief said he believes concerns over infrastructure caused the plan to be originally rejected. A representative from Wells’ office said he would have comment sometime today.

After the press conference, fire union head Ed Smith told DCist he’s “personally pleased to see new units and new hirees.”

“But had they heeded our calls in 2011, this would not be a newsworthy event,” Smith said. “Hiring and equipment should be the regular business of the Fire and EMS Department. And we can skip the dog and pony show.”

During the conference, Ellerbe acknowledged the union leader’s attendance, saying, “We have gotten to a point where we have turned a corner. … We’re ready.”

“We can get together. Let’s do this.”