op-ed<\/a> about his experience getting COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. Brown urged union workers across the state to get vaccinated if they are not already. IAFF Local 1352 is an affiliated union with the Washington State Labor Council.<\/p>\n“I am absolutely convinced that my being vaccinated was what kept me from being hospitalized, or worse,” Brown wrote. “Again, the reason I am opening up about my personal COVID experience is to strongly urge you to consider your safety and that of your loved ones and community by getting the vaccination.”<\/p>\n
The mandate clearly applies to firefighters who are also EMTs, so the Valley Regional Fire Authority will follow the mandate and is currently in the process of collecting proof of vaccination for all of its EMTs, said VRFA Chief Brad Thompson.<\/p>\n
The VRFA is taking extra steps to ensure the safety of their firefighters despite the union’s opposition to the mandate, Thompson said.<\/p>\n
“We are currently in the process of collecting proof of vaccination records for all EMTs in accordance with the proclamation and are continuing to follow guidance from the CDC, King County and the DOH regarding requirements,” Thompson said. “The VRFA recently implemented masking requirements for all staff regardless of vaccination status.”<\/p>\n
The VRFA doesn’t want to fire its EMTs, but after Oct. 18, EMTs who are not vaccinated and have not been approved for an accommodation will no longer meet the qualifications to continue working as an EMT firefighter, Thompson said.<\/p>\n
Unlike firefighters, police officers in Washington are not required to get the COVID-19 vaccine under the current mandate.<\/p>\n
The Auburn Police Department does not currently track the vaccination rates of its officers, so there is no data on the number of Auburn police officers who are vaccinated, public information officer Kolby Crossley said. If a vaccine requirement for police officers is mandated, Auburn Police Department will follow it, Crossley said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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