Hernandez Settles and Fairfax Pays In January, the U.S. Fourth District Court of Appeals issued a withering and decisive opinion regarding Fairfax County’s appalling handling of the Magaly Hernandez complaint. Hernandez alleged a hostile work environment with sexual harassment and retaliation, the Court agreed that a jury could well conclude the same. From the Fourth […]

Busy Day in Fairfax The news and Facebook, of course, were awash with stories of yesterday’s unusual spate of multiple-alarm fires in the western part of the County, including a couple of rows of town homes, a large apartment building and a bank. Those back porches ablaze are reminiscent of Boston. I left the active […]

“Mr. Kelly has told Mr. Trump it is frustrating for staff members that the president deems most news media stories fake news but believes the ones accusing various advisers of leaking, according to people familiar with the discussions.” (NYT)     Whether you love or hate Donald Trump, that sentence, buried deep in an article, […]

I’m a bit conflicted about this past weekend’s fire on the 50th floor of Trump Tower in New York, especially after hearing that Trump lobbied against the requirement for sprinklers in residential high-rise buildings. Let’s be honest–any building code that doesn’t require sprinklers is job security for firefighters, the public be damned. Trump apparently said […]

Fatal Accident Data Missing On March 9, 2018, DC Fire and EMS Engine 26 was involved in a fatal accident at 12th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NE. Now, WJLA reports that the data card for the on-board camera is missing. They say, “Investigators are trying to determine when the camera stopped recording, and how […]

It’s Now or Never Many folks visiting the Cathedral these past few years, and even some working there, have lamented the “disneyization” of the place. First they started charging to enter. Then they locked the doors to ensure no one was sneaking in to God’s great house free. Next came the multiple gift shops, some […]

Upturned Everything and Azerbaijan It’s been a gusty few days here in the Capitol, I was walking up 22nd st. Friday evening when a howling wind stopped me in my tracks. Thankfully, the temperature has been not so bad making the wind, its longevity and speed, more of a curiosity than anything. But, to be […]

DC Sites: History and Background Many folks know I have been a licensed DC guide for nine years. As a way of thanking my brother and sister IAFF members for their hard work, I will lead three free tours during the conference. Tour One will be of Arlington National Cemetery. Tour Two will be of […]

Ignorant in the Classic Sense The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) and its union, IAFF Local 2068, continue to be roiled by controversy, most recently from the twin shocks of the resignation of Battalion Chief Kathleen Stanley from her role as a Women’s Program Officer and from notice of the retirement of fire […]

“Non-Productive Garbage” So says Dave Barlow about Turnout;  he is a board member of International Association of Firefighters Local 2068, the Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics. I should say here that I am also a member of 42 years and a former president of the local, as well. Dave’s feelings are “personal”, he even says […]