Appeals court upholds decision against SRFR Firefighter 8

The U. S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling against Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue (SRFR) in a case involving eight firefighters who declined the COVID-19 vaccine for religious reasons. These firefighters claimed that SRFR failed to provide reasonable accommodations and sought back pay for their unpaid leave during 2021 and 2022. Attorneys representing the "Firefighter 8" criticized the decision, stating it threatens religious freedom protections established under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

SRFR argued that accommodating the unvaccinated firefighters would create undue hardship, potentially exposing the agency to legal liabilities. The court referenced a Supreme Court ruling in Groff v. DeJoy, which outlined the standards for religious accommodation requests. SRFR had previously adjusted its collective bargaining agreement to allow unvaccinated employees to take unpaid leave when a state vaccine mandate was implemented. The ruling highlights the ongoing conflict between public health policies and individual rights, particularly in emergency response settings.

Legal experts warn that this decision could set a concerning precedent for future religious accommodation cases.