SACRAMENTO – While details about when the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) members and state workers are still being worked out, some CSLEA first responder members are now receiving it.

Camp Roberts Firefighters and CSLEA Members Nate Ditmore and Kyle Coffman received their COVID-19 vaccine on December  23, 2020.  “Just doing our part to keep everyone safe,” said Ditmore.  “We both feel fine, no side effects!”

Yountville Veterans Home Firefighter Security Officer,  CSLEA Member and FMESA Director  Thomas Becerra received his vaccination December 31, 2020 following a long 12-hour overnight shift protecting staff and residents.  “The vaccine was provided by Walgreens to all state employees and veterans at Yountville,” said Becerra.  “I hope to encourage our CSLEA members to get vaccinated when the vaccine becomes available to them.”

State hospital police officers are also starting to receive the vaccine as well.  The state developed a tier plan and tier one includes those working in psychiatric and correction facility hospitals, paramedics, and EMTs, among others.

“This is a positive and life-saving measure that can help all of us stay healthy, get our children back into the classroom, and our economy back on track,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “Thank you to our first responder members who see the importance of this vaccine and protecting the heath of others, including their first responder brethren, their families, their communities and themselves.  Please keep up your COVID-19 safety protocols as Californians wait for their turn for vaccination.   Together, we are rounding the corner and getting through this pandemic.”