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Table of Contents
Personal Statement
Chronology of Events, Attachment 1
Letter to Chairman Cropp from Mayor Anthony A. Williams (Submitted with
enclosures with incorrect information), Attachment 2
Testimonies submitted for Public Record, Attachments 3, 4
Internal Communications to correct errors from Raymond Sneed (Submitted
with enclosures with incorrect information), Attachment 5 [handwritten
material; not available online]
External Communications to correct errors, Attachment 6 [handwritten
material; not available online]
Internal Communications to correct errors from Raymond Sneed, Attachment 7
Additional Internal Communications, Attachments 8, 9
Accomplishments achieved under the leadership of Chief Ronnie Few, Attachment
10
Back to top of page
GOVERNMENT OF
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
ADDRESS REPLY TO
'FIRE CHIEF'
May 8, 2002
The Honorable _____
Councilmember
The Wilson Building
Suite ___
Washington, D.C. 20004
Dear Councilmember _____:
At this point, it is imperative to me to have the
truth known. I can no longer remain silent. Little
attention has been given publicly to the tremendous changes and
accomplishments achieved thus far
under my leadership.
Inconsistencies in various versions of my resume
came to light in August. The ONLY version of my resume that I prepared or
had an opportunity to review was given to the search firm before I came to
Washington for an interview.
To the best of my knowledge, at this point, the
first incorrect version of my resume was submitted by the Mayor's office
on June 15, 2000 to Ms. Cropp as the Chair of the Council of the District
of Columbia. I was still in Georgia and did not see this document. The
second grossly inaccurate version of my resume was written by the Union
and was corrected and returned to them by my Public Information Office on
September 11,2000. Councilmember Schwartz is recorded in testimony of
September 27, 2000, responding to Ms. Brazil, stating that she had
researched my testimony and that I had in fact given the correct
information during my confirmation testimony. It is apparent that there
are those who, for their own purposes, continue to focus attention on any
area where the resume misinformation has not been corrected. Somehow, I
thought that when I provided the correct background information at my
Confrmation Hearing - and subsequently - that I fulfilled my ethical and
legal obligation to my new employer and the Washington community.
Unfortunately, during this time I did rely on staff
to follow-up on the web site and file corrections. The inadvertent
misinformation contained in various places (or any faux pas, misstep or
stumble) has been used to systematically conduct a professional character
assassination - by those who do not want an "outsider" as Fire
Chief.
Sincerely,
Ronnie Few
Fire/EMS Chief
Back to
top of page
- The search firm contacted Chief Few in Augusta, Ga.
- Chief Few submitted package to search firm with correct educational
and awards information.
- Search Firm submitted his package to Washington
- June 14, 2000 Letter submitted by Mayor to Linda Cropp with
incorrect information pertaining to the Chiefs Educational Background
and the source of award (not reviewed by Chief Few)
- September 27, 2000 testimony submitted for public record by Chief
Few,
"1 am a native of East Point Georgia. After graduating from the
local high school, I attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta and
eventually graduated from Dekalb College with an Associates Degree in
Fire Science. I am very close to receiving a degree from the
University of Cincinnati in Administration/Engineering."
- October 19, 2000 Summary report submitted by Harold Brazil to All
Council members, page 3, paragraph 1, Biographical Information
"1 am a native of East Point, Georgia-a small southern town
rooted in family and community. I attended Morris Brown College in
Atlanta and graduated from Dekalb College, with a degree in Fire
Science. Today, I am one semester away from a degree from the
University of Cincinnati in Fire Administration and Engineering. Ever
since I can remember, I wanted to be a firefighter - to serve people,
serve my community and save lives. "
- August 11, 2000 Fax Document submitted to the FEMS PIO with
incorrect biographical information from Raymond Sneed, Local 36
requesting biographical information for a newsletter with note,
"Please check this information for accuracy. It will be published
in the next issue of the Capital City Firefighter. I will call later.
Ray."
- Page 2 of the August 11, 2000 Fax Document to the FEMS PIO from
Raymond Sneed, Local 36 contains hand written corrections to the
incorrect information
- September 11, 2000, Response back to Raymond Sneed from FEMS PIO
with itemized detailed instructions to correct every resume
discrepancy on the document that Raymond Sneed submitted.
- September 27, 2000, during the public hearing, a dialogue with
Dorothy Brazil and Council member Carol Schwartz took place in
reference to issues pertaining to Chief Few's resume. Dorothy Brazil
acknowledged for the record that there were two (2) resumes (both
submitted by the Mayor's office) that both contained incorrect
information. Council member Schwartz responds to Dorothy Brazil's
questions in reference to the two resumes that were submitted by the
Mayors office: "I did want to point out that the alleged
discrepancies, that you mentioned in Chief Few's resume, I did note, I
went back and I got his testimony and he did say in this testimony
that was presented to us today that in 1998 he received the Fire Chief
of the Year Award from the Holmes Executive Development Institute and
the Most Innovative Fire Chief of the Year from the Carl Holmes
Development Institute, so I didn't know if you were present at the
time of the testimony." Council member Schwartz then acknowledges
that she had not seen the resumes that came from the Mayor's office
but that Chief Few did offer the correct information in his testimony.
- April 10, 2002 Email from Margaret Kellems acknowledged the
incorrect information on the website.
- April 10, 2002 meeting with FEMS PIO Director Lisa Bass ordered
removal of incorrect information from the website.
- April 15, 2002 Memorandum to All FEMS PIO from Gary Garland, Ass.
Fire Chief, Services ordered all inquiries in reference to Chief Few's
resume be referred back to the confirmation hearing where his resume
issues were for the public record stated correctly by Chief Few.
Back to top of page
ANTHONY A. WILLIAMS
MAYOR
June 14, 2000
The Honorable Linda W. Cropp
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
441 4h Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Chairman Cropp:
In accordance with the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March-3, 1979,
(D.C. Law 2142; D.C. Code § 1-633.7), I am pleased to nominate Ronnie Few
as the Chief of the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
I have enclosed a summary of the nominee's experience and qualifications
and a proposed resolution for the Council's earliest consideration. Please
do not hesitate to contact me should the Council require additional
information to effect this appointment.
Sincerely,
Anthony A. Williams
Enclosures
AAW/pfs
Back to top of page
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCILMEMBER BRAZIL AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY. I AM RONNIE FEW, THE
MAYOR'S APPOINTEE FOR CHIEF OF THE FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ("EMS"). FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO
OFFICIALLY INTRODUCE MYSELF AND DESCRIBE MY BACKGROUND. THEN I WILL BRIEFLY DESCRIBE MY GOALS FOR THE FIRE AND EMS
DEPARTMENT.
I AM A NATIVE OF EAST POINT, GEORGIA. AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL, I ATTENDED MORRIS BROWN
COLLEGE IN ATLANTA AND EVENTUALLY GRADUATED FROM DEKALB COLLEGE WITH AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN FIRE SCIENCE. I
AM VERY CLOSE TO RECEIVING A DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI IN ADMINISTRATION/ENGINEERING.
I HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN PROFESSIONAL FIRE ORGANIZATIONS AND IN PURSUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
THROUGHOUT MY CAREER. ORGANIZATIONS I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH INCLUDE THE GEORGIA FIREFIGHTERS
ASSOCIATION, THE BLACK CHIEF OFFICER'S COMMITTEE, THE
FIRE. . . .
Back to top of page
Biographical information
I am a native of East Point, Georgia -- a small southern town, rooted in
family and community. I attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta and graduated from Dekalb College, with a degree in Fire Science. Today, I am
one semester away from a degree from the University of Cincinnati in Fire
Administration and Engineering. Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be
a firefighter -- to serve people, serve my community and save lives.
Ironically, when I originally applied to work in the East Point fire
department, my application was denied. But my dream did not die so easily.
And the rejection did not quell my enthusiasm for public service. In 1972,
I reapplied, was accepted and subsequently served in every position within
the department. In 1993, I was named Chief of the East Point Fire
Department. Four years later, I became the Fire Chief of the
Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department. This appointment was pivotal to
my professional development.
Back to top of page
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
Fax
D.C. Fire and EMS Department
FAX Number: 202-673-3188
Telephone Number: 202-673-3331
Name: Ray Sneed
Organization: Fire Fighters Association
Fax: 202-526-2986
Phone: 202-635-8500
From: Gina Douglas, Public Affairs Specialist
Date: September 11, 2000
Subject: Chief Few's BIO
Pages: 2
Comments: See attached.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
September 11, 2000
Ray,
In response to Chief Few's BIO for The Capital City Firefighter, please
make the following adjustments:
1. Change from - Served as Vice President for the International Association
of Fire Chiefs
Change to - Served as State Vice-President for the Southeastern
Division for the International Association of Fire Chiefs
2. Change from - The Fire Chief of the Year from the International
Association of Firefighters
Change to - The Innovative Fire Chief of the year from the Carl Holmes
Executive Development Institute
3. Add - Fire Chief Certification Committee for the International
Association of Fire Chiefs
By the way, I am not familiar with The Capital City Firefighter. What is
it? Will you please forward me a copy.
If additional information is needed, please call me at 673-3331.
Gina Douglas, Public Affairs Specialist
Public Information Office
Back to top of page
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
MEMORANDUM
To: Lisa Bass
PIO Director
Alan Etter
PIO Officer
Gwendolyn Smith
PIO Specialist
From: Gary Garland
Assistant Fire Chief - Services
Date: April 15, 2002
Subject: Media Response to Resume Inquiries
Effective Monday, April 15th, all staff in the PIO office is directed to
use the following quote for media purposes relating to this past Friday's
inquiry concerning Chief Few's resume. The PIO staff should make no
additional comments or quotes outside of this statement.
Media Quote: "All inquiries and questions concerning Chief Few's
education and awards background have been addressed two years ago in his
confirmation hearing to the satisfaction of Council. Therefore, we have no
further comments".
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we move forward. Thank you.
Back to top of page
Debra Kilpatrick
From: Lisa Bass [lisa.bass@dc.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2002 1:29 PM
To: debra.kilpatrick@dc.gov
Subject: FW: DCFEMS Update -- April 10, 2002
Here's what you requested.
-----Original Message ----
From: Kellems, Margret (EOM) [mailto:Margret.Kellems@dc.gov]
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 11:00 AM
To: 'lisa.bass@dc.gov'; 'fems.inquiry@dc.gov'
Cc: Etter, Alan (FEMS); Jones, Germonique (EOM); Smith, Gwendolyn (FEMS);
Few, Ronnie (FEMS); Gang, Sharon (EOM); Bullock, Tony (EOM); Davenport, Ava Greene
(EOM)
Subject: RE: DCFEMS Update -- April 10, 2002
If the assertion is that Few corrected the error regarding his award
from the IAFC during his confirmation, get this off the web page NOW
please, and I do mean NOW.
http://fems.dc.gov/home/fems.bio.shtm.
Margret
Nedelkoff Kellems, Esq.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 327
Washington, DC 20004
tel. 727 4036 fax 727 1617
-----Original Message ----
From: Kellems, Margret (EOM)
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 10:38 AM
To: 'lisa.bass@dc.gov'; 'fems.inquiry@dc.gov'
Cc: Etter, Alan (FEMS); Jones, Germonique (EOM); Smith, Gwendolyn (FEMS); Few, Ronnie (FEMS); Gang, Sharon (EOM); Bullock, Tony (EOM);
Davenport, Ava Greene (EOM)
Subject: RE: DCFEMS Update -- April 10, 2002
Fahrenthold is in my reception area. It's 10:40. I have no information
from you all. I will do the best I can, but to tell you the truth, I
don't know what to say. I have in my hand the resume and bio from DCOP.
It shows incorrect information. I have the bio you all sent over. It has
different information. I have the email below saying that
"information has been found to verify the previous
corrections" but I don't know when the errors were discovered.
M
Margret Nedelkoff Kellems, Esq.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 327
Washington, DC 20004
tel. 727 4036 fax 727 1617
Back to top of page
Accomplishments achieved under the leadership of Chief Ronnie Few
-
Rebuilt burn building at training academy
-
Began building new state of the art training academy
-
Senior Fire Marshal program
-
Are You O.K.? Program
-
Over $550,000 in Grant Funds (Fire Cadet Grant, FEMA Grant, Project Impact
Grant)
-
Accountability Program for Fire Personnel
-
Revamped Training (Renewed IFSAC Accreditation for training programs)
-
Initiated mandatory "Diversity" classes
-
Initiated mandatory "Customer Service" classes
-
Initiated job descriptions for sworn personnel
-
Created unified, collar brass for the entire department
-
Standardized helmet requirements `for all firefighter personnel
-
Introduced the first DCFEMS internal Fire/EMS Paramedic class
-
Issued first protective gear to all fire/EMS personnel
-
Installed new hospital alerting system
-
Installed new firehouse alerting system
- Initiated computerized AED (Automated External Defibrillators) downloading
process
-
Created the Fire Chiefs Hotel Insignia Award to recognize compliant hotels
-
Restored all five positions on all 16 ladder trucks increasing fire ground
safety
-
Restored all six battalion chief s aides increasing fire ground safety
- Hired more than 140 personnel to fill vacancies.
-
Introduced sick leave procedures to prevent abuse
-
Implemented a Capital Improvement plan to renovate firestations
-
State of the art 911 Dispatch Center now on line
-
Reduced response times to critical care calls
-
Introduced staff retreats to collectively look for solutions to agency
challenges
-
Restructured Fire Prevention Division
-
Established new Emergency Medical Services Bike Team
-
Obtained back pay for uniform firefighters
-
Finalized pay increase for Communications workers
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