Starting Nov. 1, firefighters who were let go from South King Fire and Rescue because of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate will be allowed to come back to work. The agency’s board of directors voted unanimously during their Sept. 27 meeting to authorize Fire Chief Dave Mataftin to let unvaccinated firefighters return beginning Nov. 1, which is the day after Gov. Jay Inslee’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers is scheduled to end. That means SKFR employees who were put on leave for choosing not to take the vaccine can return to their public-facing jobs. Those separated from the agency can also return as long as vacancies for their positions exist. (New employees will still need to receive a COVID vaccination, Mataftin said.) Mataftin said he is confident it’s safe for those unvaccinated personnel to return.