ST. PAUL - Although a shortage of the COVID-19 vaccine has been noted across the country, a movement to have firefighters included in the first phase of the roll-out of the vaccine is pushing ahead.
St. Paul Fire Chief Trevor Kotowich, who is also the Director of Protective Services with the Town of St. Paul, presented town council with the option to support the cause, during the Jan. 25 council meeting.
Kotowich said he understood the province is low on vaccines right now, but noted there is still a push being made across the province to have fire first responders included in the first phase of vaccinations.
"Fire Departments in the Town and County of St. Paul respond to emergencies that encounter people nearly everyday," reads the meeting agenda item. "Firefighters are at risk of contracting the COVID virus each and every time they interact with someone."
"We owe it to our volunteers to ensure the highest level of protection is provided to them, through personal protective equipment, and ultimately through vaccination," reads the agenda item, which was presented by Kotowich.
He noted that it was good news when the announcement was made regarding medical responders (EMS) being added to the first phase of the vaccination roll-out.
"It is now time to ensure the same level of protection is offered to firefighters, who in many instances, work right along side EMS practitioners," said Kotowich.
On Jan. 12, the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association released a statement encouraging government leaders designate members of the fire service who are at risk, as eligible recipients of the vaccine during the first stage of the rollout.
"I am asking council to consider the same and send letters of support to Minister Shandro of Health, and Minister McIver of Municipal Affairs," said Kotowich, who noted that public pressure helped get EMS included in the vaccination rollout, and a similar result is the aim for fire services.
A motion by Coun. Brad Eamon to send the letter of support was carried.
"It is proper and fitting that emergency responders who have a high likelihood of coming into contact with the virus should be protected through vaccination," reads a media release from the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association.
"Up to 70 per cent of fire department calls are to medical emergencies. Many of these are to the vulnerable populations, group home settings, seniors care facilities and motor vehicle collisions. Often, especially in rural Alberta, it is the fire department that arrives first on scene before other emergency services," according to the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association.
Firefighters often respond to call where there is no warning ahead of time that COVID-19 may be present.
"The Alberta Fire Chiefs Association is concerned that members of the Alberta fire service who are not part of the government’s emergency medical community are being expected to provide the same services, but without the vaccine protection now being given to other emergency responders."
The County of St. Paul council also approved writing a letter of support for the first responders during the Jan. 26 Public Works meeting with Community Services Director Tim Mahdiuk informing council that the Elk Point fire department, in particular, is involved in "a lot of medical assists" and pointing out these local fire departments do not invoice the Province for this work.
"They are aware of it, they just don't want to let us know they are aware of it because we are doing a whole lot of work for them at no cost," Reeve Steve Upham said of AHS. "They've been able to back off ambulance coverage and all those different things because we are picking up the slack on a lot of that stuff."
