2022 FEB 16 Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) has ruled out enforcing COVID-19 vaccinations for its staff, months after mandates were introduced across Queensland.

BACKGROUND HEADLINES: Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) has ruled out enforcing COVID-19 vaccinations for its staff, months after mandates were introduced across Queensland.

A leaked verified internal email that appears to be written by QFES Commissioner Greg Leach to staff has been obtained by AFIPN all but confirming the removal of mandates, however he has reserved the right to revisit his decision based on changed risk.

Queensland’s United Firefighters Union secretary John Oliver said the union has maintained a neutral position on vaccinations.

The email in its entirety has been transcribed by AFIPN 

Dear colleagues,

Thank you to all those who provided feedback during the consultation period to consider mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for QFES paid staff.

I carefully considered all feedback received from paid staff, volunteers and unions and associations, as well as taking expert advice from stakeholders and relevant authorities.

I have decided that, at this stage, QFES will not require mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for paid staff.

Reasons behind this decision In addition to feedback received, the Crisis Management Team and I looked at several factors before I came to this decision, including: the current risk assessment for QFES and our ability to deliver services to the community measures we have in place such as Standing Order SO-Q-BM-4.5 – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and the Pandemic Preparedness Level (PPL) Staging Requirements the current downward trend of active cases across Queensland and reduced risk of community transmission Queensland Health advice on the current and predicted future of the pandemic QFES workplace health and safety obligations.

When the consultation was opened on 24 January 2022 Queensland had not yet reached its peak of COVID-19 cases in the community. Queensland Health advice is now that our state has passed the peak.

However, the pandemic situation can change quickly and unpredictably.

There is always the potential for increased community transmission in the future. I will continue to monitor the pandemic situation and there may be a time when I need to revisit the decision based on changed risk.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

The current PPL3 remains and all paid staff and volunteers must comply with its requirements, including mask wearing, and current Standing Orders (see above). Please ensure you are familiar with these.

We must also comply with current Chief Health Officer public health directions.

It is your responsibility to ensure you can continue performing your full role while following the above. If you have any issues or concerns please raise these with your manager or supervisor.

As always, any changes to Standing Orders or PPL Staging Requirements will be communicated quickly.

WORKING TOGETHER

Thank you to all those who provided feedback, including the unions and associations who worked productively and positively with us. It’s been fantastic to have such open and constructive dialogue around this issue with these stakeholders.

I know there will be some of you who are disappointed with this decision, and others who are happy with it. No matter your personal feelings on the topic, it is vital that, as always, we place our QFES values — respect, integrity, courage, loyalty and trust — at the heart of all our conversations with each other.

Disrespect will not be tolerated, and those who engage in poor behaviours can expect consequences.

VACCINATION SAVE LIVES

It is my personal position and that of the department’s, as well as expert health advice, that vaccinations continue to be the best defence against COVID-19 and I encourage anyone not yet vaccinated to do so, and those who have to get a booster shot.

QFES is at heart a community service organisation, and when we make the decision to vaccinate ourselves it is also a decision to help protect the communities we serve, especially those most vulnerable in our society.

Thank you again for all you do in keeping Queenslanders safe.

Kind regards,
Greg Leach
Commissioner
QFES

QFES acknowledges and recognises Traditional Owners as custodians of the lands where we work together with the communities of Queensland. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of these lands, their spirits and their legacy.

IMAGE Source^[1]https://twitter.com/TimArvier9/status/1493697090622398464?s=20&t=gLD8BmNXQ-jzYg4QIWr5Ig

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Date-stamped: 2022 FEB 16 - Author: Australian Free Independent Press Network - Article Title: Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) has ruled out enforcing COVID-19 vaccinations for its staff, months after mandates were introduced across Queensland. - Article Link: https://www.facebook.com/australianfreeindependentpressnetwork/posts/154602016986676

RELATED

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service rules out mandating COVID-19 vaccines as state records 6,596 new cases https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-16/qld-coronavirus-covid19-qfes-vaccine-mandate/100828942

Mandatory COVID-19 vaccines ruled out for state’s firies https://www.4bc.com.au/mandatory-covid-19-vaccines-ruled-out-for-states-firies/

Queensland firefighters exempt from COVID-19 vaccine mandate https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-fire-fighters-exempt-from-covid-19-vaccination/f4739dd8-a239-4442-9ac3-d0112a8aaa37

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