Seattle firefighters who lost their jobs over the COVID vaccine mandate dropped off their boots, said a prayer with their families, and cooked breakfast for the homeless in Occidental Park on Tuesday.
On Monday, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan had indicated that the Seattle Fire Department reported 91% of its employees vaccinated against COVID-19, and 6% were allowed a religious or medical exemption.
Seattle firefighter Andrew Pittman, who hasn’t been terminated, but doesn’t expect to be accommodated, was among those who left his boots and walked to the park. He told the Dori Monson Show he estimates about 100 firefighters will no longer work for the department, whether due to resignation, retirement, or termination. “I just have strong moral and philosophical convictions against taking the shot,” Pittman told Dori of why he won’t get vaccinated. He added that COVID has run through his family, but the department won’t accept natural immunity.