AS of 5 p.m. Monday, 583 individuals had signed an online petition expressing support for the 23 firefighters who may be terminated for refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccination.
According to the petition, the firefighters “should have a right to choose whether they should or should not receive the Covid-19 vaccine and that threat of termination should not be used against them.”
The online petition can be found at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIoQ2gAg61r7G_5SgwelbpTkYKPL4i0-Dc7gk9nTXVltsaTA/viewform
The 23 firefighters, who have been transferred to administrative duty effective Monday, also said that they will take legal action against the CNMI government if they are terminated.
The governor’s Executive Directive 2021-002, dated Feb. 19, 2021, mandates all employees of the executive branch of the CNMI government to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
Commissioner’s statement
Also on Monday, Dennis Mendiola, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services commissioner, issued the following statement:
“In response to the 23 employees that are requesting for an exemption to vaccinate, the decision made is within the compliance of the Governor’s Directive 2021-002. This directive was reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General and is intended to safeguard the community by mitigating the risk of contracting and transmitting the Covid-19 Virus. There will be no special treatment or no exemption other than what is outlined in the Directive.
“As the Commissioner of Fire and EMS, it is my responsibility to ensure that the department renders essential services to our community in a safe and efficient manner while at the same time ensuring that Firefighters and EMT alike, are protected. The vaccine is the solution, in addition to the proper protective equipment mandated for their protection. Even with those mitigation in place, there is still a possibility to contract the virus. However, any increase in protection whether a fraction of a percent is more than no protection.
“I am disappointed that these drastic measures have to be taken to ensure compliance when in fact, officers that have been sworn in as well as first responders, should take the initiative themselves to ensure that the people they serve are not in harm’s way. I have given the employees much time to think about their course of action and make a decision. During the launch of the vaccine back in December, I spoke to all DFEMS personnel and heard their concerns and took them under advisement. As a matter of fact, I spoke to them a few times and stated that it will soon be mandated.
“When one first responder became a person under investigation, it caused panic throughout the community. This hampered our ability to execute our duties. Any time the department responds to 911 calls, the question of whether or not the responders are carriers of the virus is pondered. DFEMS personnel are stationed at the quarantine site on a rotational basis, putting them in the front of this pandemic. With that in mind, to ensure safety to the general public as well as themselves and their family; this added condition of employment became the solution to safeguard our great CNMI.
“After the meeting on Friday, March 19, 2021, this list of personnel that refused to vaccinate dropped down to 11. Most were deceived by the intent of this movement while others were simply trying to see if there was any way out of vaccinating. However, of the 23 personnel on this letter of concern, 12 will be in compliance with Directive 2021-002. The remaining 11 personnel will be facing adverse action for failure to comply.
“During a state of health emergency such as a pandemic, cooperation and compliance are the key to get through the crisis. If we allow anyone to violate this directive, we risk putting other innocent people in harm’s way, and that goes against our duties as first responders.”
