The COVID-19 virus has hit fire departments and agencies in other Western Washington cities from the Eastside, to the Puget Sound Fire Authority to Federal Way.
To date, it has spared 125 personnel, among them 98 firefighters, who make up the Valley Regional Fire Authority, which provides fire and emergency services to the cities of Auburn, Pacific and Algona.
But “to date” is not a guarantee.
And if COVID-19 hits the VRFA, a smaller department than those already mentioned, the effect would be more severe, said VRFA Chief Brent Swearingen.
“Having people quarantined isn’t as big a deal for them, just a crew or so, but it would be a bigger deal for us,” Swearingen said.
So to prepare for that possibility, VRFA personnel and fire folk throughout the region have been meeting, cogitating and planning lately.