Secret Service officer hurt in crash waited 14 minutes for DC ambulance

A fire truck was on scene within three minutes of the call, but it did not have a paramedic on board

September 14, 2016 03:11 PM

By EMS1 Staff

WASHINGTON — A U.S. Secret Service officer waited 14 minutes for an ambulance Monday after being hit by a car.

The officer was riding a motorcycle near the White House when he was hit. D.C. Fire & EMS told NBC Washington that while the officer needed an ALS ambulance unit, the closest available one was four miles away.

Although there was a fire truck on scene within three minutes of the call, it did not have a paramedic on board. Records show the first call regarding the crash was placed around 1:25 p.m. The ambulance arrived at 1:40 p.m and the officer was airlifted to a hospital at 1:51 p.m.

A representative of the 911 call center said the incident is being reviewed.

“D.C. Fire & EMS always strives to provide the most comprehensive, compassionate and timely care — and we are always working at improving the many aspects of the EMS care FEMS administers in the field,” a department spokesperson said in a statement.

@barredindc @PoPville probably from Secret Service moto crash. pic.twitter.com/6jmw0wIVtK
— evanelwood (@evanelwood) September 12, 2016