Fire districts not mandating vaccine

DAVENPORT—Local fire chiefs and commissioners aren’t requiring their volunteer firefighters receive a COVID-19 vaccination, leaving the choice up to the individual whether to get an inoculation or not. However, state mandates do apply to some of the volunteers for EMS services.

The state mandate issued that requires state employees to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 does apply to volunteers that are licensed by the state as an Emergency Medical Technician or paramedic, which impacts some districts more than others. These volunteers must be vaccinated, or they cannot perform medical services as...