NYC Emergency Worker Shortage

Due to the new vaccine mandates appearing in New York City, there are multiple shortages for emergency workers such as firefighters and police.

The New York City Fire Department has 26 units out of service from staff shortages caused by the COVID-19 mandate on October 30th. Also, on the morning of November 1st, 2,300 firefighters called in sick to work. Some may have been in protest of the vaccine mandate. 

The FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro came out in response to the call-offs saying, “If you’re sick, you’re sick, it’s a dangerous job. I get it. If you’re not sick, I want to see you back at work,” Nigro said. “Once the members come to their senses and stop using medical leave improperly, they can help out not only the citizens of the city but their brothers and sisters who are staffing these units.”

However, there has supposedly been no hold up in assistance to the public because of the call-offs. All calls to the fire departments are still being treated seriously and efficiently. 

When it comes to police officers, the NYC police unions expected that around 10,000 of the roughly 35,000 police officers in NYC would be off duty. In reality, there have only been 34 officers placed on unpaid leave due to the vaccination deadline according to the Washington Post. Thousands are still working on the job waiting for their exemption requests to be reviewed by their departments.

As of right now, the police force in New York City has a vaccination rate of 84% and the FDNY has a vaccination rate of 77%. In the coming weeks, the true extent of the amount of emergency workers who will be placed on unpaid leave will be revealed as exemption requests are reviewed.