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By Drew Lawson
The Times 

Fire districts not mandating vaccine

EMT-certified required by state to get shot

 

Last updated 10/15/2021 at 1:48pm



DAVENPORT—Local fire chiefs and commissioners aren’t requiring their volunteer firefighters receive a COVID-19 vaccination, leaving the choice up to the individual whether to get an inoculation or not. However, state mandates do apply to some of the volunteers for EMS services.

The state mandate issued that requires state employees to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 does apply to volunteers that are licensed by the state as an Emergency Medical Technician or paramedic, which impacts some districts more than others. These volunteers must be vaccinated, or they cannot perform medical services as a part of their work come the 18th.

Fire District No. 4, which includes the Reardan and Edwall area, has 14 of these certified EMT’s out of its 32 volunteers. However, district chief Ryan Rettkowski said all 14 either received a vaccination or a religious/medical exemption from the vaccine.

“There was some concern initially about potentially losing people,” Rettkowski said. “But we’re in good shape and looking like we’re not going to lose anyone.”

Volunteers who don’t get vaccinated and don’t receive an exemption could still work as a volunteer firefighter, but couldn’t perform medical services as part of that work. This may be the case for a small number of volunteers in Fire District No. 6, which covers the Harrington area.

District commissioner Ron Mielke said six of the district’s 18 volunteers are EMT-certified. Four either were vaccinated or got an exemption, while the district hasn’t learned the status of two others, he said.

“It’s a concern, but not run-for-the-woods concern,” Mielke said. “Regardless, we all want to work to keep our community safe.”

Fire District No. 5, which includes the greater Davenport area (the city itself has a mutual aide agreement with the district for fire services), has no EMT-licensed volunteers. Fire chief Craig Sweet said he won’t be mandating a COVID-19 vaccine for his volunteers, either.

One possible condition of being unvaccinated for non-EMT volunteers is when a state mobilization occurs on a larger fire. Firefighters who wish to receive compensation during a state-mobilized firefight will need to be vaccinated or have an exemption, as they become state employees in these situations.

Author Bio

Drew Lawson, Editor

Author photo

Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.

 

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