Supporters emerge for the Spokane County medic who may be losing his job because of the COVID-19 vaccine

Cory Miles will lose his paramedic job if Spokane County Fire District 8 officials fail to provide shelter for his religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine.

Washington Gov.’s Vaccination Mandate Jay Inslee requires most health and long-term caregivers to be fully vaccinated by October 18 as a prerequisite for employment. Employers need to check the vaccination status of all employees. Certain religious and medical exceptions are allowed, but precautions must be taken for these exceptions.

More than 30 people assisted Miles at a special meeting of the commissioners Tuesday night to ensure the medic continued to work in the career he loves.

“It’s not just my job at stake,” said Miles with his wife and two young daughters by his side. “This is my job, my passion and the means by which I take care of my family.”

Miles did not indicate what religious beliefs make him oppose the vaccine.

During the roughly two-hour meeting, the commissioners left the room twice for board meetings. They didn’t come to a decision on Miles on Tuesday night.

Commissioner Greg Hesse said they will meet with their legal team before making a decision.

“There is more to it than meets the eye. Trust me, ”said Hesse.

Miles said the district agreed to his exemption but then told him that he could not make reasonable arrangements to allow him to continue working unvaccinated.

He said that to the best of his knowledge, no one in his fire department had transmitted COVID-19 on duty to patients or the public. Miles said he did not test positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic, which means the safety precautions and personal protective equipment he used at work were working.

“How come, after a year and eight months of staying healthy, suddenly on October 18th I am suddenly unsafe for my patients, for my employees and for myself, as well as a burden for the fire department?” Miles said.

About 50 residents, firefighters and others filled the meeting room at Valleyford Fire Station 82 on Tuesday. About 18 others stood in the parking lot and some took part virtually.

The 30+ who supported Miles said he was a great man and a medic, and feared the already understaffed district couldn’t afford to lose a medic. They said that arrangements could and should be made so that he could continue to work. Every person who spoke received applause after their presentation.

“This is a slap in the face that we’re asking Cory and all the other firefighters in this district from day one to step forward and fight this virus, and now you’re going to kick him out and fire him,” said Kasey Austin. a lieutenant in the Spokane Fire Department.

Steve Bailey said Miles diligently followed policies and procedures and provided high quality care to the district’s residents.

“I would have no problem working with Cory on the fire truck any day of the week – past, present, or future,” said Bailey. “He’s the type I would choose to treat my wife or son if I were at the fire station and couldn’t do it myself.”

District fire chief Lonnie Rash said after the meeting he wasn’t sure when the commissioners will come to a decision.

He said during the meeting that of the 48 full-time workers in the district, six had failed to provide evidence of vaccinations.