Wanzer v. District of Columbia

TERRY, Associate Judge:

Although there are privately owned ambulance companies which do business in the District of Columbia, most ambulance service is provided by the District of Columbia Fire Department through its Emergency Medical Service (EMS). To request an EMS ambulance, a person typically dials the emergency “911” telephone number. At about 3:30 a.m. on December 27, 1986, James Lee did just that. The conversation between Mr. Lee and the dispatcher went as follows:

DISPATCHER: Ambulance.

LEE: Yes, could you send an ambulance to 2930 10th Street, N.E., please?

DISPATCHER: Is it a house or…