EMS Medical Director Submits His Resignation

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By Elissa Silverman

Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 21, 2008; Page B03

The medical director who ushered in important changes in D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services procedures submitted his resignation yesterday to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin.

"I think it was thought best that I resign," said Michael D. Williams, when reached by phone last night.

He declined further comment, referring questions to the chief and mayor. He will leave Aug. 29.

Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth L. Crosswhite, a department spokesman, said Rubin accepted the resignation after receiving the hand-delivered letter yesterday at 5 p.m. James J. Augustine, who joined the department two weeks ago from Atlanta, where Rubin was formerly fire chief, will serve as interim medical director, Crosswhite said.

"Chief Rubin did not ask" Williams to resign, Crosswhite said.

Fenty's spokesman did not respond to requests for comment last night.

Williams, who was hired before Rubin's appointment as chief, focused on improving medical training and accountability after the death of retired journalist David Rosenbaum in January 2006 highlighted gross deficiencies in the agency. Rosenbaum was hit in the head while taking a stroll in his Northwest neighborhood, but firefighters and EMS workers determined that he was drunk, one of a series of missteps. He died two days later.

Williams implemented an electronic patient-care reporting system, bolstered the training of firefighters who also serve as emergency medical technicians and served on the city's EMS task force.

"Dr. Williams is responsible for some of the most important improvements in the EMS program and we're sorry to see him leave," said Toby Halliday, Rosenbaum's son-in-law, who also served on the city's EMS task force.

In a statement, Rubin expressed confidence that the department will build on Williams's "legacy of passionate commitment" to improving emergency medical services.

Augustine, who served as Rubin's medical director in Atlanta, started working for the District on Aug. 4. He is a board-certified emergency physician and is trained as an emergency medical technician and firefighter.