Seattle Fire Statement On Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Status

As of 10 a.m. on Oct. 19, 93% of the Seattle Fire Department's employees are vaccinated. Sixty-six employees have submitted exemptions (57 religious, 9 medical) and are involved in the City's exemption and accommodation process. All but eleven employees submitted either a vaccine verification form or exemption form.

For the eleven employees who did not submit either a verification or exemption form (and are not currently on disability leave), the separation process will begin tomorrow. For represented members, that legal process includes a voluntary Loudermill hearing (if a member requests it), in accordance with their collective bargaining agreements. A Loudermill is an opportunity for the represented employee to present their case to the department leadership and Human Resources.

The sixty-six employees who have submitted an exemption will be on leave and unable to work until the accommodation process is complete or a member chooses to get fully vaccinated. The leave type is dependent on if their exemption has been approved, denied or is still being processed. If the exemption is denied or cannot be accommodated, the employee will have the option to seek a Loudermill or can choose to become vaccinated. The full process can take several weeks to complete for an individual employee.

The fire department wants to assure the community that we do not expect significant response delays and will continue to fulfill our mission of responding to all 9-1-1 calls for fire suppression and emergency medical services. Members of the public who need our help can make calls to 9-1-1 for life threatening emergencies and firefighter/EMTs (and paramedics for more serious injuries) will arrive in personal protective equipment to provide patient treatment or to extinguish fires. The department's Fire Prevention Division will continue to provide inspections, process permit applications and respond to investigate the cause of fires. Additional updates on the department's contingency plans were posted to the Fireline Blog last week.

The Fire Chief wants every member of the SFD to know they are valued and hopes that members do not depart the organization as a result of this mandate.