American Medical Response, which is contracted by D.C. to help with emergency response, has disavowed the ambulance playing the sirens from “The Purge.”

Raymond Wambsgams / Flickr

As D.C.’s streets empty and residents take on extra precautions amid the spread of the coronavirus, the crew of one ambulance decided to ratchet up the apocalyptic atmosphere.

The ambulance played the sirens from dystopian film The Purge while driving up 14th Street NW with its lights flashing last week, according to widely circulated video footage posted on social media. In the movie, the sirens signal a descent into lawlessness.

The authenticity of the footage was confirmed by American Medical Response, the private ambulance company contracted by the city to assist with 911 calls.  The company has held a contract with D.C. since 2017.

“This act does not reflect AMR standards nor is it representative of the thousands of our emergency health professionals who are dedicated to our communities and the patients we serve,” the company said in an emailed statement. “As so many of us are working tirelessly to confront this pandemic, it is unfortunate that two individuals can behave in such an unprofessional manner and tarnish the reputation of fellow employees who are truly committed to saving lives.”

The company went on to say, “Once the video was posted, AMR management received two resignations before an investigation could be conducted.”

The Purge came out in 2013. The horror film, set in 2022, posits a future in which the United States has an annual holiday called the Purge, a 12-hour window when all crimes are legal. In the movie, the sirens denote the period when the Purge begins. The first film launched a franchise, with three additional movies and a television series that have since been released.

This story has been updated with additional comment from American Medical Response.

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