WASHINGTON (AP) - District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray is standing behind fire chief Kenneth Ellerbe following a no-confidence vote by the city firefighters' union.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Paul Quander said in a statement Monday that he continues to support Ellerbe's efforts to modernize the department. He's calling on firefighters to work with the chief to accomplish that goal.
Ellerbe has faced scrutiny since the city had to summon an ambulance from Prince George's County, Md., to transport an injured police officer. Union leaders say his mismanagement of the department fleet is endangering firefighters and residents. The union approved a no-confidence resolution by an overwhelming margin on Monday.
Ellerbe has proposed a major change in firefighters' work schedules that he says will better equip the department to respond to medical calls.
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