WASHINGTON — New calls for accountability from the DC Office of Unified Communications (OUC) after an off-duty firefighter says he had to call his firehouse for help, because he was left waiting after he called 911.

Gary Dziekan, who goes by "Zeek," says he was on the ground bleeding near the corner of C and Eighth streets in Northeast Saturday night after being shot. Even though he called 911, he says his call went unanswered for several minutes.

"It's a bad feeling when they don't answer," Dziekan said.

The incident has reignited criticism of the District's 911 system, with the president of the D.C. firefighters' union calling the delay "completely unacceptable."

Dziekan, who had the direct number to the firehouse where he worked, and was just six blocks away, handed it to a neighbor

See Full Page