Fort Smith fire and police departments see no operational impact from COVID-19 cases

Though Arkansas continues to see growing numbers of new COVID-19 cases daily, operations by those who keep Fort Smith safe – the police and fire departments – have not experienced problems caused by absence due to quarantines and illness.

Arkansas reported 2,318 new cases of COVID Thursday (Aug. 26). Sebastian County had 1,047 active cases Thursday and a 39.3% vaccination rate among those 12 and older, according to the Arkansas Department of Health website. Crawford County had 465 active cases with a 39% vaccination rate. According to the ADH, 46.5% of Arkansans 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

In March, the Fort Smith Fire Department reported that only 63 of its 145 firefighters had received the vaccine. Fort Smith Fire Chief Phil Christensen said he does not know how many of the remaining 82 have since been vaccinated.

“After my initial attempt to get 100% of our firefighters vaccinated, and after some resistance, I’ve quit tracking the total number of firefighters vaccinated knowing a 100% rate is unattainable. (City of Fort Smith) employees are not obligated to report such, and with the passing of Act 977 we are not allowed to ‘coerce’ employees to get vaccinated,” Christensen said.

The Act, passed by the Arkansas Legislature and signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson earlier this year, prohibits the state and “any political subdivision of the state” from mandating a vaccine or discriminating against those who refuse to receive the vaccine.

Though Christensen said he is for everyone making their own decisions regarding the vaccine, he said he wishes he could report that 100% of the firefighters were vaccinated and zero had been infected.

“I’m not one to stand on the side of forced vaccinations. I believe we all should have a choice. But, I also believe the vaccination is working so I make public comments and posts on our (Facebook) page. Some are listening and have changed their minds about the vaccination,” Christensen said.

Likewise the Fort Smith Police Department has not requested disclosure of vaccination information as a prerequisite of employment, said Aric Mitchell, FSPD public information officer.

“So we do not have a number to share regarding how many (of the 143 sworn officers) have been vaccinated,” Mitchell said.

Over the past 18 months, FSPD has had 55-65 total cases of COVID among all employees, sworn and non-sworn (205 total employees), Mitchell said.

“The Department has been able to maintain operations during the pandemic because we have taken every step possible to ensure that officers are not exposed and are able to remain on duty. We have also been vigilant in hand washing, wearing masks, and socially distancing. We have not had so many absences at once that covering those that were out was problematic,” Mitchell said.

As of Tuesday (Aug. 24), the police department had one officer out with COVID. As of Thursday, FSFD had two firefighters under quarantine with positive COVID tests results, Christensen said.

“We maintain rigid decontamination protocols after every medical response, this has helped in keeping our firefighters safe during this pandemic,” Christensen said.

In March, Shari Cooper, public relations and communications manager for the city, said the city recognizes “personal health is a sensitive subject and is different for every individual” and has done its best to “provide access to those employees wanting the vaccine.”

In the Fort Smith metro hospital region, which includes Sebastian and Crawford county, there were 219 positive COVID patients hospitalized, according to the ADH COVID dashboard. There were 56 COVID patients in intensive care units and 37 on ventilators.