D.C. Eyes Validity of CPR Cards

D.C. fire officials are trying to verify that CPR certification cards issued at the training academy are legitimate amid charges that more than 100 cards were given to providers and instructors who never took the course.

Austin A. Anderson of the D.C. Office of the Inspector General yesterday confirmed that an investigation into the matter is ongoing but declined to provide specifics, saying it is a "pending matter."

Fire department spokesman Alan Etter said that fire officials could not comment on the specifics of the investigation.

"We are aware that the inspector general is looking into this, and we are cooperating fully," Mr. Etter said.

As many as a half-dozen instructors may have been involved in giving the cards to emergency medical technicians (EMTs), instructors and members of the public who did not complete course requirements.

However, sources close to the investigation said that the problem could be more widespread if it is determined that instructors taught CPR courses without proper certification.

The CPR course is an eight-hour class that is required for all firefighters and EMTs. Instructors must complete a 16-hour class.

The worst-case scenarios include the American Heart Association revoking the department's training-site status and every one of the fire department's 1,900 members having to retake the course.

A representative from the American Heart Association did not return a call for comment yesterday.

Sources said that the probe has been going on for about two months and is focusing on CPR cards issued in the last two years.

It could not be determined whether officials suspect the cards were given away or sold.

Investigators have seized several computers from Emergency Medical Services training staffers as part of the probe.

Republished with permission of The Washington Times