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Washington D.C. – After concerns were raised by the National Treasury Employees Union and two Senators, the IRS no longer plans to remove automatic external defibrillators from smaller IRS offices around the country.

The IRS notified NTEU about its decision on Monday, meaning IRS offices of fewer than 100 employees will be able to keep the lifesaving devices on hand.

NTEU Chapter 35 and IRS employees in Honolulu argued that the AED equipment is important for agency employees and taxpayers who visit their offices. The lightweight, portable and easy-to-use devices can help someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

Sen. Mazie Hirono and Sen. Brian Schatz, both of Hawaii, agreed and urged IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig to keep the AEDs.

“This just goes to show that employees working together can make a real difference in the health and safety of their colleagues and the public,” NTEU National President Tony Reardon said. “I applaud the IRS employees in Hawaii as well Sen. Hirono and Sen. Schatz for standing with frontline federal employees on this important issue.”

NTEU represents 150,000 employees at 33 federal agencies and departments.