Several Spokane firefighters are out of a job following Monday’s deadline to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The city has not announced the exact number of those who will be fired from their positions but said 52 firefighters filed for exemptions from the mandate. Of those, 14 ended up withdrawing those requests and seven people had until 5 p.m. Monday to make a declaration. An additional 12 of those 52 firefighters are seeking vaccinations, but need more time.
City Spokesman Brian Coddington said one-sixth of the department requested vaccine exemptions, which is a larger percentage than most other departments across the state.
In the days ahead, the City of Spokane told us it will cover this lapse with over-time, and shifting their traditional staffing plan. Long-term, they have a solution already in place.