Here's a detailed debunking of the claim that "hundreds and hundreds" of LA firefighters were let go because of the COVID vaccine mandate, alongside a comparison of LAFD staffing from 2019 to today:

Claim: Hundreds and Hundreds of LA Firefighters Let Go Over COVID Vaccine Mandate

Lack of firefighters?!

The good thing is that we don’t have any firefighters that didn’t get their covid shot. Hundreds were fired by LA City for refusing the poison.

The other bonus is LAFD’s chief is a gay woman, and they’ve spent millions on DEI. So that’s kind of cool pic.twitter.com/YReUriJAQs

— American Abogado (@AmericanAbogado) January 8, 2025

Debunking:

• Actual Numbers: The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) did have some firefighters who were either disciplined or terminated due to non-compliance with the city's vaccine mandate, but the numbers were nowhere near "hundreds and hundreds." According to various reports:
  • Initially: Around 113 firefighters were placed on unpaid leave in December 2021 for not complying with the mandate.
  • Terminations: By early 2022, 12 firefighters were officially terminated over their vaccination status. Over time, this number did not significantly increase to reach the "hundreds" threshold.
  
  
• Legal and Policy Context:
  • Several lawsuits were filed against the city by firefighters regarding the vaccine mandate, but courts upheld the mandate, citing public health and safety.
  • The LAFD offered exemptions on medical or religious grounds, and many who initially resisted either complied with the mandate, got exemptions, or left the department voluntarily.
• Reinstatement: By mid-2024, after the mandate was lifted, some of these firefighters were called back to work while still potentially facing Board of Rights hearings for their previous non-compliance, indicating that the impact was temporary rather than permanent mass terminations.
• Impact on Operations: There was no significant operational impact on the LAFD that could be attributed to these terminations or leaves. Firefighting and emergency response continued with support from existing staff, new recruits, and mutual aid from other departments.

LAFD Staffing Comparison:

• 2019:
  • The LAFD had around 3,732 sworn members (firefighters, paramedics, and fire officers). This number can be found in the department's annual reports or city budget documents from that year.
• Today (2025):
  • While exact 2025 figures might not be publicly available, we can use the latest available data for comparison:
    • By the end of 2024, LAFD had approximately 3,955 sworn members, according to the city's budget documents and department updates. This number reflects growth rather than a reduction, indicating that the department did not suffer from a massive staff loss due to the vaccine mandate.
• Analysis:
  • The claim of "hundreds and hundreds" of terminations is vastly exaggerated. The actual number of terminations was in the low double digits, and many of those affected were either reinstated or left voluntarily.
  • The LAFD has maintained or even slightly increased its staffing levels, suggesting resilience and adaptability in its workforce management despite the challenges of the vaccine mandate.

In conclusion, the narrative that the LAFD was crippled by mass terminations due to the vaccine mandate is not supported by the actual events or staffing numbers. The department managed the situation without significant long-term impact on its operational capabilities.