Dallas Fire-Rescue medics are facing significant financial distress due to unpaid wages from events held at Fair Park last year. The Oak View Group (OVG360), which was contracted to manage these events, owes a total of $27,504 to over 50 medics for their services.
The city of Dallas severed its relationship with OVG360 last summer after an audit indicated that funds intended for the construction of a new park had instead been misappropriated for regular operating costs. Despite the termination of the contract, many medics continued to provide their services during events through August, operating under the impression that they would eventually be compensated.
Reports indicate that individual medics are owed amounts ranging from $200 to more than $1,500. The financial burden has led the local union to advocate for direct payment to the medics, suggesting that the city should absorb these costs and incorporate them into ongoing legal disputes with OVG360.
Chris Peterson, president of the Dallas Firefighters Association, expressed his disappointment regarding the delayed payments, emphasizing the importance of the medics’ role, especially with international events taking place in the city. “It’s extremely disappointing and frustrating to hear that the city I have represented for many years easily abandoned its firefighters/medics,” he stated.
A spokesperson for Dallas Fire-Rescue revealed that efforts to secure payment from OVG360 have been made by the department’s leadership, but these requests have not received a response. Meanwhile, the city has yet to clarify whether it plans to take legal action to recover the owed funds on behalf of the medics.
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that the medics receive the compensation they are owed for their dedicated service at Fair Park.
