TACOMA (AP) — Fire chiefs and union leaders in Pierce County, home of the City of Tacoma, say about 30 percent of their departments or membership have yet to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and they worry what a vaccination mandate will do to their workforce.
Some firefighters have told coworkers they are looking at other jobs, leaving the state or retiring early.
Gov. Inslee ordered all state employees, educational employees, and health care workers to be vaccinated by Oct. 18 or face termination.
Firefighters have EMT and paramedic training and are therefore considered health care workers.