The company that provides air tanks and refills to the D.C. Fire and EMS Department walked off the job Wednesday evening, leaving first responders and District officials scrambling.
Contract negotiations with the company broke down, a spokesperson for the fire chief confirmed, and employees for Municipal Emergency Services (MES), who are stationed at some D.C. Fire and EMS facilities, walked out at 5 p.m.
“The contract problem has been resolved, and MES is expected back on the job tomorrow morning,” said Doug Buchanan of D.C. Fire and EMS.
“This did not disrupt normal D.C. Fire and EMS operations,” he added.
Contract negotiations between the District and MES are handled by the D.C. Office of Contract and Procurement, not the fire department. A spokesperson for OCP is working on a statement.
