Former Eastside Fire and Rescue firefighters are suing the department for millions of dollars in damages over its handling of its COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The group of ten – a captain and nine firefighters – cite lost wages, mental anguish, and defamation of character in the notice of the lawsuit they filed with the department.
They argue that the department did not appropriately handle its mandate that all employees receive a COVID-19 vaccine or seek an exemption from the requirement based on religious or health reasons. The firefighters were terminated under the policy.
At least one firefighter, however, told KING 5 that he hopes the result of the lawsuit will be a return to the job, not financial penalties against the department.
The department has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
