Part 5/7:
As the dialogue advanced, the robust health of firefighters emerged as a pressing issue, particularly those battling the ongoing wildfires. Concerns about mental health and exposure to hazardous conditions were raised, with reports of significant terminations due to COVID-19 vaccination mandates posing additional challenges.
The conversation pointed to a stark irony: the very regulations intended to protect public health inadvertently contributed to a staffing crisis in California’s firefighting ranks. Jackson remarked on the seriousness of air quality concerns, urging that firefighters must possess the right equipment to mitigate risks associated with smoke inhalation and other long-term health impacts.