Nearly all of Eugene Springfield Fire’s 314 employees have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in advance of Monday's deadline for healthcare workers.
The majority of the agency’s employees are considered healthcare workers and therefore qualify for Governor Kate Brown’s vaccine mandate. The department says that of its employees who are required to get the vaccine, about nine percent have either requested an exemption or have otherwise refused.
"Unvaccinated employees who have requested a medical exception will follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) interactive process with their respective human resources department for accommodations," the agency said in a press release.
"Unvaccinated employees who have requested a religious exception from the vaccine mandate will be required to follow accommodations such as wearing a fit-tested N95 mask, disinfecting their private dorm at the end of their shift, following ESF’s guidelines when feeling unwell, and obtaining a test if presenting with COVID-19 symptoms."
