FRIDAY UPDATE
Brothers & Sisters,
The Department will be getting the Moderna vaccine early next week, not the Pfizer vaccine, and Dr. Kazan, the Health Programs Office, and EMS section have assured us that they are ready to mobilize within 24 hours to administer the vaccine to our members.
We strongly recommend all members be vaccinated for their own protection and the protection of their brothers and sisters, family members, friends, and communities. It is critical that members are protected through vaccinations to maintain their readiness to respond to COVID-19 and other emergencies, as the number of positive tests, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19 continue to rise amidst flu season. We work in confined and uncontrolled environments while treating or transporting patients or interacting with the public and are, therefore at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19. Click here to read the IAFF Position Statement on COVID Vaccines.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are molecular RNA based (not a live virus), and both vaccines have a 95% efficacy rate compared to a 40-60% efficacy rate of the influenza (flu) vaccine and provide antibodies and T-cell immunity against COVID-19. Attached is the FAQ sheet for the vaccine, so you have the information as researched by our Department doctor, the CDC, and Local 1014. WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF ALL PERSONNEL TO RECEIVING THE VACCINE.
As of today, we have been assured that it is not mandated by the County Director of Personnel and the County Public Health Director. If you choose not to take the vaccine, you will have to sign a declination, just as you do for our yearly flu shot. If you choose not to take the vaccine and then change your mind, you will be placed at the end of the line. We cannot have the appearance of wasting vaccines. The plan as of now is to vaccinate all of our high-risk members and high-exposure personnel first. We have been assured that we will eventually receive enough vaccines for all of our personnel. It may have to be done in phases, but it will be done as we are in Tier 1A per the County Public Health. It is a matter of how many vaccines that LA County receives and when.
The Emergency Medical Services Bureau has invited all personnel to join Dr. Kazan as he explains the SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine and answers any questions personnel may have related to the vaccine. The discussion will be conducted via Microsoft Teams on the following dates and times: Saturday, December 19th at 9:00 a.m., and Sunday, December 20th at 9:00 a.m.
To access the discussion on Saturday, December 19th, click the following link: December 19th SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Discussion
To access the discussion on Sunday, December 20th, click the following link: December 20th SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Discussion
Payroll Issues with COVID-19
We have also been made aware of a potential issue with timekeeping for our members that are ordered off due to COVID. The IPFIRS code “ZI” is not being recognized by payroll and could potentially lead to some members not being compensated correctly. We have been assured that it will not affect this payroll cycle but will need to be corrected (see attached EA-527). There will be a reminder of the process to follow in order to not lose any benefit time. In short, you need to burn benefit time and file a claim for reimbursement of time. You will be made whole within 15 days, as per our agreement with management. Also, we have been assured that this will not affect our members in their Ventura year. We have this commitment in writing, so Local 1014 will carry that through arbitration if necessary. Please see the attached reiteration of the correct process to follow.
After reviewing all of the information and numerous talks with the Health Programs Office, EMS section and Dr. Kazan, your Local 1014 Executive Board in collaboration with our state union California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), strongly recommend our members receive the vaccine once it is available. It is still your choice, and we have worked hard to keep it voluntary and not mandatory.
This is an opportunity for our members to protect themselves and their families as we continue to fight on the frontline. We have worked hard to ensure our members have access to this vaccine along with other first responders and health care workers. Whether you choose to take the vaccine or not, please continue to take precautions. Our numbers have again skyrocketed this week, with members getting sick every day. WEAR YOUR MASK, PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND WASH YOUR HANDS.
As always, stay safe and take care of each other.
