Governor Jay Inslee’s vaccine mandate shouldn’t have an effect on the services Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) firefighters provide for the community, spokesperson Kimberly Terhune said.
As of Oct. 18, the deadline for firefighters to be fully vaccinated, 94% of VRFA employees were fully vaccinated, Terhune said.
One employee retired from the department and six are on extended leave through the Family Medical Leave Act, Terhune said. The six who are on leave can return to work if they get fully vaccinated, Terhune said. Despite the potentially permanent loss of these six employees, VRFA will be operating like normal, Terhune said. VRFA serves the Auburn, Pacific and Algona areas.