QFES boss explains why the service opted against COVID jab mandate
QFES Commissioner Greg Leach has defended a decision not to introduce a vaccine mandate for the state’s firefighters and personnel.
Other emergency services, including police and health care workers, must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Senior Nine News reporter Tim Arvier told Neil Breen this morning there had been fierce debate within the ranks.
Commissioner Leach told Scott Emerson on 4BC Drive they had consulted with unions and associations about a vaccine mandate.
“We believe that we don’t go that step at the moment, our risk management strategy is working well, we’ve got low levels of absenteeism due to COVID, we are easily covering our rostered shifts on our fire stations, we are delivering service the community and we think the current settings will serve us well, given we are over the peak of Omicron,” he said.
“But we will continue to monitor this if there’s a new variant emerges or if we get a resurgence, we will obviously listen to the Chief Health Officer’s advice and we may revisit this issue in the future.”
He denied they were pressured by unions not to enforce a mandate.
Press PLAY below to hear the full interview and how they came to the decision
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