Deadlines are approaching quickly for those who have to comply with the governor's recent vaccine mandate.

For for fire agencies like Benton County Fire District #4 who rely heavily on volunteers, many are wondering if the mandate applies to them.

According to Governor Inslee's vaccine mandate, firefighters are included whenever licensed by the state as an EMT or paramedic or whenever performing medical functions in their official course of duty.

Capt. Bob Shannon with Benton County Fire District #4 said they are requiring their volunteers to get vaccinated because all their volunteers work in a healthcare setting.

He said they've given an exemption to anyone who's asked for it, but unfortunately they don't have another volunteer job within the fire district that doesn't directly deal with a healthcare setting.

According to the mandate, "Volunteer firefighters whose positions are restricted to emergency calls and do not perform medical services as a function of their position description are not covered by the proclamation." But for Benton County Fire District #4, all volunteers perform medical services when working.

"So unfortunately we were in the position where we had to let our volunteers know either you have the vaccination or you don't have the vaccination and we're going to have to make a decision based on that," Capt. Shannon said.

Capt. Shannon said they've already lost one recruit because of the mandate and are expecting to lose a few others.

"There's not a whole lot we can do," Capt. Shannon said. "It is in our best judgement to follow that mandate and to move forward."

He said they just brought on about 16 volunteers last month and will continue to bring on more as necessary to keep operations moving.