Vaccine requirement pose risk for first responder shortage

PITTSBURGH (Newsradio KDKA) - Coronavirus vaccine mandates for city and state workers continue to be implemented daily around the country, which poses a threat for a shortage of first responders.

"It's such a complicated issue," said John Sicilia, President, Allegheny County Chiefs of Police Association. "Whenever you have collective bargaining agreements, you have public welfare - all at stake - it's really difficult to make this decision."

Sicilia says his focus is on the day-to-day operations of the police department.

"We want to make sure that when someone calls 911, a police officer is showing up," Sicilia said. "That's our job, that's our biggest concern at this point right now, is keeping officers on the road."

Listen to the full interview with Sicilia above.

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