Office of Accountability and Employee Rights (OAER)
The OAER was estanlished to eliminate discrimination, promte equal opportunity, and unhold human rights within the DC Fire and EMS Department policies and practices respect the range of difference and similarties of both employees and District residents.
The office also provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counseling to individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination in employment or with fire and EMS services.
The Accountability and Employee Rights Officer (AERO) advisesadvise executive leadership, managers, and uniformed and civilian employees on key programs, including:
- Language Access (LA), )
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
- Sexual Harassment (SH)
- District of Columbia Human Rights Act
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Equal Employment Opportunity Act)
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Key Functions of OAER:
1.EEO counseling – Offers support to individuals alleging discrimination in employment or service delivery.
2.Inclusive policy and programming – Develops initiatives that reflect and support the diversity of the department and the community.
3.Non-discrimination compliance – Ensures adherence to protections under federal civil rights laws and the DC Human Rights Act’s 23 protected traits.
4.Discrimination resolution – Facilitates resolution of discrimination complaints through counseling and investigations.
Kenneth B. Hunter
Diversity/Equal Employment Opportunity Program Manager
(202) 715-7594 (o)
(202) 430-4893 (m)