D.C. fire department sued over man’s death

Relatives of the man who died awaiting an ambulance on a day when over a dozen firefighters called in sick filed a $12 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city’s Fire and EMS Department.

Durand Ford Sr. died on Jan. 1. The complaint was filed on Tuesday in D.C. Superior Court. According to the complaint, Ford was experiencing shortness of breath, and his girlfriend called 911. An ambulance from a neighboring county arrived 30 to 40 minutes later. The complaint says the emergency responders were too late to assist Ford, and he died.

Over 90 firefighters called in sick last New Year’s Eve. The absences left the fire department severely understaffed. The firefighter’s union denies any coordinated sick-out.