Kirkland Fire Department Fully Intact After Vaccine Deadline

KIRKLAND, WA — The Kirkland Fire Department avoided any firings Tuesday, after the Gov. Jay Inslee's deadline passed for all state employees, health care workers and educators to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or secure a legitimate exemption. The order for health workers covered those working in emergency medical services, applying to fire departments across the state.

Kirkland fared better than some of its neighbors, having reported no separations due to the mandate. A spokesperson for the city told Patch Wednesday that 100 of Kirkland Fire's 116 members were fully vaccinated by Monday night's deadline, with one other in the process of completing vaccination and 15 who sought medical or religious exemptions.

Among the employees who sought exemptions, Kirkland Fire found accommodations for eight, with seven others still pending.

On Tuesday, Eastside Fire & Rescue reported six departures related to the mandate deadline, Redmond reported five separations and two retirements, and Renton said goodbye to two firefighters. Across Lake Washington, the Seattle Fire Department reported 11 separations, with several dozen more in the exemption process. The department's overall vaccination rate was in line with much of the region, at 93 percent.

Related: 450 King County Employees Face Firing Over Vaccine Mandate