Firefighters statewide have threatened to quit instead of being vaccinated, but, for some local firefighters – it’s more complicated than that.
They want to know if their job will change if they ask for an exemption. For the past 20 years, Tim Archer has been on the frontlines. He’s also the president of the Spokane Firefighter’s Union and says he hasn’t gotten the vaccine for religious reasons. He will be filing a religious exemption, but wouldn’t explain further what belief would make him exempt.
“Those that have a religious exemption, or a medical exemption, to pursue those exemptions, which the city is helping us do,” Archer said. “But what we do not have is any assurance, is that with that approved exemption, we will be able to work October 19.”
He argues it’s not clear whether firefighters who are granted exemptions will be allowed to work in the field.