Haldimand fire chief confident vaccination rates will increase
No grievances filed concerning Haldimand's vaccine policy
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Haldimand County Fire Chief Jason Gallagher is confident the number of fully-vaccinated volunteer firefighters will increase over the next couple of weeks.
“We have a number of firefighters who are in the process of getting vaccinated so the numbers will change,” Gallagher said Tuesday. “Some have received their first shot and are waiting for their second dose while others are looking to get their second dose.”
Those who are not fully vaccinated must participate in regular, rapid antigen testing, Gallagher said adding that the testing is followed rigorously.
Gallagher made the comments after being asked about the vaccination rate among the county’s volunteer firefighters.
Figures provided by the county show that most of its 256 volunteer firefighters – 83 per cent or 212 firefighters – have received both shots. An additional six per cent (15 firefighters) are partially vaccinated while 11 per cent (28 individuals) are unvaccinated.
The fire department has an ongoing educational program that shows the benefits of vaccination, Gallagher said.
Haldimand County Council on Sept. 21 approved a policy requiring all county employees to disclose their vaccination status by Oct. 18.
Those employees who are not double vaccinated or who present a medical exemption from their physician “must participate in regular, rapid antigen testing until such time as they are considered fully immunized,” the county said in a statement announcing the policy.
“The new policy aims to fulfill the county’s commitment of providing a safe working environment and has been implemented to protect the county’s workforce and members of the public from the hazards of COVID-19.”
Haldimand County says its policies align “with provincial directives and subject to limited exceptions in accordance with the Human Rights Code of Ontario and consistent with public-health policy.”
New employees or (current) employees entering into a new employment contract internally must be fully vaccinated or produce an eligible exemption as a condition of the new employment agreement under the county’s policies.
More than 90 per cent of Haldimand County staff and council members are fully vaccinated, figures provided by the county say.
The figures, provided to Postmedia this week, say 92 per cent or almost 576 of its 626 staff and council members have received both shots. Five per cent or 31 are partially vaccinated while the remaining three per cent or just under 19 are unvaccinated.
Norfolk County Council earlier this month voted against requiring its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by a 5-4 vote.
In rejecting a policy recommended by Norfolk County staff, some councillors expressed concerns the coercive nature of the policy might result in conflict with some of its unionized staff and grievances.
Kyra Hayes, Haldimand’s supervisor of customer experience and communications, said Haldimand County has not had any grievances with respect to its vaccination policies.
Haldimand Mayor Ken Hewitt couldn’t be reached for comment on the county’s vaccination policy.
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