REPRESENTATIVE Edwin Propst on Friday asked community members to have compassion for the 11 firefighters facing termination for their refusal to take the Covid-19 vaccine.
In his remarks during the miscellaneous portion of the House session, Propst said he was not telling anyone not to take the vaccine.
“I encourage everyone to get the vaccine,” he added. “Everyone should get the vaccine. However, we also must think about compassion for those who have the liberty to choose.”
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable if I didn’t talk about this,” he said, adding that firefighters and emergency medical technicians save lives and are “doing their best,” but “are now in tremendous stress.”
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, in a press briefing on KKMP radio, said every executive branch employee, including the firefighters, are given the right to choose.
If they have health conditions they can get a letter from their doctor, he said, adding that “if there are religious considerations, we will also respect that.”
The governor said his administration acknowledges the important role that firefighters play in ensuring the safety of the community, but he also pointed out that the directive on Covid-19 vaccination aims to keep the community safe.
“We intend to move forward,” he said, reiterating that the directive was based on the guidelines from the Office of the Attorney General.
“This is a reminder for all of us, not just first responders — everyone has the obligation to protect each other,” the governor said.
“When you call 911, who do you want to come to save your dad, mom, daughter, son, grandma or grandpa? A first responder who is vaccinated or one who refused to be vaccinated? That’s the question we ask ourselves.”
He noted that his directive is not specific to firefighters, but to all executive branch employees.
In his remarks on Friday, Propst said, “Neither federal government employees nor military troops and personnel are required to take the vaccine.”
He said, “As we have learned from our latest local community spread cases, even if you are fully vaccinated, you can still get Covid-19 and you can still spread it to family and friends and community.”
He added, “Everyone should have access to get the vaccine, most especially our elderly and the immunocompromised. But the question is, should you be forced to take the vaccine? This is where some division in our community exists. While some claim it is for the ‘safety and well-being’ of the community, the fact is, these same firefighters were risking their own personal safety and well-being (as well as their families) by going out and responding to 911 emergencies while the rest of us were told to stay home. These same firefighters and EMTs must still wear personal protective equipment and protect themselves and the patients they respond to, regardless of whether or not they got vaccinated. The Covid-19 protection gear and safety measures are still in place.”
According to Propst, “While we hear that these firefighters/EMTs are privileged to work, have we forgotten how underprivileged they have been when it comes to their salaries and benefits, as they receive one of the lowest salaries in the nation? Is firing them, some of whom have served for more than two decades, really the best option? These firefighters have not broken any laws. They are not criminals. They are lifesaving heroes who were well respected in the community, up until they questioned having to be forced to take this vaccine. Where do we go from here, and what is next? What if retirees were told that they would not receive their pension unless they got the vaccine?”
Propst said, “These firefighters/EMTs devoted their lives in trying to help and save others. Their entire training was dedicated to selfless service. As first responders, they have seen things we hope we’ll never see.”
On Thursday, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Commissioner Dennis Mendiola said the firefighters who had refused to get the Covid-19 vaccine were on administrative leave with pay.
“We gave them administrative leave so they will have time to make a decision and comply with the vaccination directive,” Mendiola added.
He said “Once the 30 days are up, they will most likely be terminated” if they still refuse to comply with the directive.
The firefighters earlier told Variety that they would take action against the CNMI government if they were terminated from their jobs.
Edwin Propst
