A Snowy Tale of Two Cities, Part One

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D.C. hospital fires 11 nurses, 5 staffers for snowstorm absence

The District's largest private hospital has fired 11 nurses and five support staff members who failed to make it to work during the back-to-back snowstorms that paralyzed the region earlier this month.  

"Sadly, we did experience some issue with associates who did not show the same commitment as most of their co-workers to the community, our patients and their fellow associates. They are the few who turned away from their scheduled shifts and who tried -- and are still trying -- to turn the focus on themselves rather than the thousands of Washington Hospital Center workers who fulfilled their commitment to their patients and colleagues, and made it to work," (hospital President Harry J. Rider) wrote.

Pittsburgh EMS workers may be punished

 Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Service workers could face discipline for a series of errors that led to a Hazelwood man's death during the snowstorms, Public Safety Director Michael Huss said Wednesday.

 City officials declined to discuss specifics, except to say they were reviewing possible disciplinary action. The city asked the Allegheny County Health Department to investigate what happened during the Feb. 5-6 snowstorm, and Huss spent yesterday listening to phone calls connected with the death of Curtis Mitchell, 50, of Chaplain Way.

And Rob Kaczorowski as The Beaver

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Director of Public Works

The Director

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Mayor Ravenstahl Names Fire Chief, Mike Huss, Director of Public Safety

“I have selected a Director of Public Safety who is an accomplished and respected leader in the field of fire safety and emergency management on the city and county level,” said Mayor Ravenstahl. “Chief Huss brings an impeccable record of service, accomplishment, leadership (not counting liquored up firemen stealing vehicles at the casino, or liquored up firemen kicking in citizen's doors, or liquored up firemen playing bumper cars with "white residue" on their CD's) and integrity to the challenges  that face our City. I’m confident he will serve the residents of the City of Pittsburgh well. Chief Huss has been and will continue to be instrumental in achieving my goal to make Pittsburgh one of America’s safest cities.”

As Johnstown's Emergency Management Coordinator, he was responsible for all activities of the agency, including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery and served as the City Managers Chief of Staff during emergencies (and by emergencies we mean floods, obviously.).

He is experienced in collective bargaining negotiating, preparation and administration of operating and capital budgets, strategic planning, testing, training and disciplining of department personnel. (And, for your information, meter maids Parking Enforcement Officers aren't trained to use a snow shovel in Johnstahn either.)

Hizzoner

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About Mayor Luke Ravenstahl   

Luke Ravenstahl became the 59th Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh on September 1, 2006, upon the untimely death of Mayor Bob O'Connor. At the time he was just 26 years old. Ravenstahl's ascent to the top of Pittsburgh government began in 2003 when he became the youngest member ever elected to Pittsburgh City Council. After serving only two years on council Ravenstahl was unanimously voted in as City Council President, a post he held for only 8 months before being sworn in as Mayor O'Connor's successor. Ravenstahl was officially elected Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, "America's Most Livable City," in a special election in November of 2007. The 29-year-old Pittsburgh native still holds the distinction of being the youngest mayor of any major U.S. city.

Snowmageddon '10

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Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Services

Pittsburgh EMS is dedicated to bringing compassionate, life-saving emergency medical care to our streets, our homes and our workplaces -- to the very hearts of our residents and visitors -- thus making Pittsburgh a safer and healthier place to live. (Weather permitting).

However, no honor is more significant than the sincere words of thanks and praise we receive from our patients for helping them in their time of need.(As long as they can walk to us).

With over 175 Paramedics, responding nearly 55,000 times each year, Pittsburgh EMS provides a wide range of services including Advanced Life Support prehospital care, medically directed Technical Rescue from a wide variety of accidents and entrapments (as long as the snow's not too deep), River Rescue, ALS coverage at special community events, community education in CPR/AED, and much more (including giving rides to the hospital, if it's not difficult).