OVER 20 Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel have signed a notice of complaint that they are filing under duress due to the threat of termination for their refusal to take the Covid-19 vaccination.
Their notice stated that under Directive 2021-002 from the Office of the Governor, DFEMS Commissioner Dennis C. Mendiola, mandated that all personnel receive a Covid-19 vaccination or risk termination from DFEMS employment.
“When the Covid-19 pandemic started in March 2020, we, as first responders, answered our Commonwealth’s call with risks to our health and lives to mitigate/stop the spread of the virus,” the firefighters stated.
“For over a year now, we have faithfully and professionally taken on…risks from Covid and have continued to face the other dangers associated with our regular assignments as first responders.”
The DFEMS directive “mandates a forced medical treatment in the form of a vaccination under threat of termination,” the firefighters added.
“Due to the current adverse and possible fatal effects as well as the unknown long-term effects of the Covid vaccination, we as first responders believe it is our responsibility to the people we serve, to our own family, and to our co-workers that we reserve the right to choose to accept or reject the Covid vaccine,” the firefighters stated.
“This mandate pierces deep into our hearts and beliefs as first responders and Americans. We feel unappreciated and are herded to just accept it.
“When we voice our concerns regarding our own health and liberty to the Governor’s Office and our own Commissioner, they chose to use duress and now force,” the firefighters stated.
“They have not considered the added anxiety it causes us and our families to have to ponder if we still have a job tomorrow.”
“This mandate comes after we have successfully created the safest ‘American City’ without the vaccine.
“We respectfully reserve our right to refuse treatment,” the firefighters added.
One of them, who declined to be identified, told Variety that they are about to lose their jobs.
He said they are not “anti-vaccine.” “We just want to have a choice,” he added.
They are hoping to meet with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
A private attorney who requested anonymity said “it’s unlikely that a person could be forced to get a vaccination as a condition of employment. I don’t think any laws currently require it. And an executive order could be subject to challenge.”
