Fire departments comply with mandate

The Oct. 18 deadline for Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate is fast approaching, but Central Mason Fire and EMS and the North Mason Regional Fire Authority are prepared.

CMFEMS Chief Mike Patti said that no one is planning on leaving and the department is in full compliance with the mandate. He reported the fire district has had no occupational related exposures to COVID in the last 20 months, attributing the PPE the team has and sanitizing equipment after each use.

NMRFA Chief Beau Bakken said the department is 98% vaccinated with two people granted religious exemptions and accommodat...