Usually high numbers of firefighters called in sick on NYE

Paul Quander, deputy mayor overseeing public safety in D.C. has confirmed that nearly 1/3 of the district’s firefighters called in sick on New Years Eve, leaving stations understaffed, and some vehicles sitting idle. In D.C. firefighters also operate ambulances. Where 20-30 firefighters call out on a regular day, 97 called in sick on Monday. On Tuesday, when holiday pay was in effect, only 20 firefighters called in sick. The unusually high numbers are being investigated.