Six firefighters with Eastside Fire and Rescue located in Issaquah, have been terminated for failing to comply with the state COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
The six firefighters were placed on leave in October when the state vaccination mandate went into effect. Monday was the last day of their six-month leave of absence, according to a reported by KIRO 7 Seattle.
Firefighter Frank Dahlquist who’s a Christian had his accommodation request denied told KIRO the department was losing more than 190 years of career experience.
Eastside Fire and Rescue officials said the department lost 11 firefighters from termination or from leaving the department due to the state vaccine mandate.
In a statement the department cited the Governors mandate requiring emergency services providers to be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021.
The department said they worked to educate, counsel, and make accommodations for unvaccinated employees achieving a 94 percent vaccination rate.
The department and its board said it will continue to follow state and local mandates and guidelines and are saddened by the loss of some of their firefighters but also deeply respectful of their personal choices.
