‘Scare Them’ – Rhetoric Heats Up Over Beverly Hills Firefighter Vaccine Mandate

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (KABC) – Controversy over vaccination warrants for Beverly Hills firefighters intensifies, with a protest on Tuesday involving fiery and threatening rhetoric.

An anti-vaccine activist at the rally urged others to “scare them” at an upcoming event involving children and parents walking to school.

Wednesday is National Walk to School Day.

“They think it will be a fun and safe photo opportunity with parents and children,” a speaker said at the protest. “Let’s show them here and show them that’s not the case. Let’s show them how we really feel.”

“Let’s scare them.”

The Beverly Hills Courier identified the speaker as David Hakimfar, a West Hollywood lawyer and anti-vaccine activist.

The city of Beverly Hills is demanding that firefighters, among other employees, get vaccinated.

The city notes that it was not their decision, but a warrant from Los Angeles County. The county is requiring immunizations for all healthcare workers, including paramedics and emergency medical technicians, by October 1.

The firefighters union is fighting against the mandate.

The Beverly Hills Firefighters Association recently posted on Facebook that while it recommends and encourages its members to get vaccinated, the union believes it should be a personal choice.

“What we don’t agree with is the mandate of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department and we strongly believe that it should be a personal choice whether or not to receive the vaccine,” said the union.

“Our Association is made up of many members of different origins and beliefs and we will always stand together to enable each member to make the decisions that are best for him and his family.”

On Friday, according to the city, 25 of the 97 firefighters in the department requested exemptions from vaccination for religious or medical reasons. Six of them have been denied exemptions – and of them, five have since been vaccinated and one has been placed on unpaid leave. One firefighter has been granted medical waiver and 18 others have been granted temporary medical or religious waivers for 30 days as their requests are reviewed.

“I want to assure the Beverly Hills community that this service will continue to provide world class care with fully staffed and emergency medical technicians on all shifts,” said Fire Chief Greg Barton.

“The county’s requirement for vaccination of first responders is now in effect. Although personal opinions on the issue of the vaccination requirement vary, it is the duty and responsibility of the city to follow the county directive. . I will not let anything distract from our mission of protecting the health and safety of the community. “