The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Services (DC FEMS) announces that all of its services are now translated into Amharic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, and Spanish. The Department also provides mandatory training for all its employees regarding the requirements of the Language Access Act; and has disseminated language access booklets and posters to all its stations and divisions.

Kim McDaniel, who is the EEO and Diversity Program Manager for the agency, serves as the Department’s Language Access Coordinator, and is responsible for managing the Department’s Language Access Program.

The purpose of the Language Access Program is to provide greater access and participation in public services, programs, and activities for residents of the District of Columbia with limited or no-English proficiency (LEP/NEP). It requires that District government programs and services offer oral and written language translation services to a population that constitutes 3% or 500 individuals, whichever is less, of the population served or encountered - or likely to be served or encountered.

The District of Columbia Office of Human Rights (OHR) enforces the Language Access Program. The Program exists to eliminate language-based discrimination, enabling DC residents, workers, and customers to receive equivalent information and services from the DC government, regardless of what language they speak. Individuals who believe their language access rights have been violated may file a complaint with the District’s Office of Human Rights.