D.C. Fire Trucks Crash Twice a Week

The District's fire trucks and ambulances are involved in an average of two crashes per week, according to a new safety report.

The report, requested by D.C. Councilman Phil Mendelson, covers the 2006 fiscal year. According to the findings, collisions are up 25 percent. The crashes have left 20 people injured, fire officials said.

The city's fire and rescue department recently bought a new training simulator that will help drivers of rescue vehicles prepare for responding to emergencies.

The simulator is also used in New York City, where crashes have gone down about 12 percent since emergency responders started using it, fire officials there said.