Update: D.C. Council Douses $25M Contract for New Fire Rigs

It's back to the drawing board for the D.C. Fire and EMS after the city council nixed a $25 million contract to purchase 18 rigs.

The decision late Tuesday came after union members voiced concern about a previous relationship between the selected manufacturer -- HME -- and Deputy Chief Michael Poetker.

Poetker's former employment with HME was examined by the city's ethics board who ruled there was no conflict, WRC reported.

Defending the move by Fire Chief John Donnelly, Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote in a letter to the council that it's "the fastest, most cost‑effective path to stabilizing our fire engine fleet and protecting the safety of our residents."

Donnelly said during a recent interview that HME could offer something others couldn't -- fast delivery amid a nationwide backlog.

“I want fire trucks. I am agnostic on the manufacturer...So, there wasn’t a bid in this process. D.C.’s really tough on fire trucks, and it’s volume more than anything else. It’s call volume."

The chief said he started doing market research in 2024 in an effort to correct the fleet issue.

The first rig -- that was supposed to be delivered in December -- was scheduled to be tested by a third party before the order proceeded on the remaining 17. The contract could have been canceled. 

D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto said at the hearing Tuesday: “There are several concerns with this contract before us today, including the cooperative agreement process, the quality of engines being procured from a first-time vendor, and the quality the apparatus itself.”