Journalist Tim Sharp said that with over 600 Los Angeles County firefighters losing their jobs for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, residents should not be surprised by the firefighter shortage in combating the Palisades Fire. Sharp shared his statement in a January 8 post on X.
“600 LA County Firefighters lost their jobs over refusing an experimental vaccine. Are you surprised there is a shortage today?” Sharp said in his post.
According to a February 15, 2022 report in the Los Angeles Times, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of firefighters challenging the city’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate. The judge ruled that claims about the vaccines’ ineffectiveness were unfounded and that the mandate did not violate California Constitution’s privacy protections. City Attorney Mike Feuer agreed with this decision.
On June 21, 2024, Fox11 reported that Los Angeles firefighters placed on paid leave for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine were being called back to work following the city’s decision to end its employee vaccine mandate. Despite their return, they remained subject to pending Board of Rights hearings, which could still lead to termination. The City Attorney’s Office said paying these individuals while they await hearings would be an inappropriate use of public funds. Others argued it was unfair to enforce disciplinary actions for a now-defunct mandate.
According to Cal Fire, as of January 27, the Palisades and Eaton Fires, which began on January 7, are 95% and 99% contained respectively. The Palisades Fire has burned 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, damaged 1,017 others, and caused 12 fatalities and three injuries. The Eaton Fire has burned 14,021 acres, destroyed 9,418 structures, damaged 1,073 buildings and resulted in 17 fatalities. Santa Ana winds and drought conditions combined with heavy brush from two previous years of heavy rains exacerbated the fires. The causes of these fires are currently under investigation.
On January 9, People Magazine reported that Victor Shaw was found dead on January 8 after trying to protect his family’s home from the Eaton Fire. His sister Shari Shaw attempted to convince him to evacuate but his health issues made it difficult for him to move. As flames surrounded their home on January 7 Shari had to leave for safety; when she returned she found the house engulfed in flames. Shaw’s body was discovered outside holding a water hose as he attempted to fight the fire—one of many residents who took matters into their own hands amid insufficient firefighting resources.
Tim Sharp is an American journalist with independent media outlet AMP America.
