Cleared Hot: Episode 401 - David Dahlin - Seattle Firefighters Fired for COVID Mandate

Release Date: August 6, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 401 of Cleared Hot, host Andy Stumpf welcomes David Dahlin, a former Seattle firefighter who became a central figure in a landmark case involving the termination of firefighters due to non-compliance with COVID-19 vaccination mandates. This in-depth conversation delves into David's experiences, the challenges faced by firefighters during the pandemic, and the ensuing legal battles that have significant implications for civil rights and employment practices.

Background: David Dahlin's Career in Firefighting

David Dahlin, referred to as "John" in the transcript, shares his journey into the firefighting profession. Driven by a childhood passion and equipped with a background in vehicle research and design from Western Washington University, David entered the Seattle Fire Department in January 2000 after navigating a brief stint at Boeing.

Notable Quote:

John: "I never grew out of wanting to drive the big red truck when I was 5."
[00:34]

David's tenure in the Seattle Fire Department was marked by his commitment to aggressive firefighting tactics and his role as a senior driver for Ladder Company 5, one of the busiest units in the city.

The COVID-19 Mandate Controversy

In August 2021, Washington State Governor issued a mandate requiring all under the executive branch, including police and fire departments, to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan further tightened this directive, stipulating that employees must either comply with the vaccination requirement or adhere to strict masking and regular testing protocols.

Key Points:

• Mandate Details: Employees had to receive specific COVID-19 vaccine shots by designated deadlines.
• Options for Non-Compliance: Religious and medical exemptions were offered, allowing employees to mask and undergo daily or weekly testing instead of vaccination.
• Personal Stand: David, motivated by his Christian faith and ethical concerns regarding vaccine development, opted not to receive the mandated vaccines.

Notable Quote:

John: "I'm a person of faith. I'm a Christian. And one of the things that is a hard no for me is I'm not going to accept a medication that was derived using tissue from an aborted fetus."
[69:18]

Despite submitting the necessary paperwork for a religious exemption, David and approximately 70 other firefighters were either forced to resign or were terminated by November 2021 due to non-compliance.

Union Dynamics and Support

The Seattle Fire Department Union, Local 27, became a battleground for differing opinions on the COVID-19 mandates. A significant majority of the union membership voted against the mandates, advocating for opposition. However, the union leadership overrode this decision, choosing to support the mandate despite the member vote.

Key Points:

• Member vs. Leadership Stance: Majority of members opposed the mandates, but leadership enforced compliance.
• Impact on Morale: This decision led to a drastic decline in morale within the department, reminiscent of the aftermath of the 1995 Pang warehouse fire tragedy.

Notable Quote:

John: "We were told that the city budget people were constantly attacking, hey, we need to civilianize the dispatch protocol."
[21:07]

Termination and Legal Battle: A Mass Tort Lawsuit

Following his termination, David joined forces with around 36 other firefighters to initiate a mass tort lawsuit against the City of Seattle Fire Department. This collective legal action addresses what they perceive as a severe civil rights violation—the forced compliance with vaccination mandates infringing upon their sincerely held religious beliefs.

Key Points:

• Nature of the Lawsuit: Individual lawsuits combined into a mass tort, as opposed to a class action, due to varying degrees of personal damage.
• Legal Challenges: Limited resources as major law firms avoided participation, leaving the group to rely on smaller, more agile legal teams.
• Current Status: The lawsuit includes depictions of systemic issues within the department's handling of mandates and the subsequent firings.

Notable Quote:

John: "What we're talking about is quite arguably the greatest civil rights violation in a lot of decades."
[89:00]

Aftermath: Transition to Contracting and Personal Resilience

After losing his firefighting career, David leveraged his extensive skills in general contracting to establish FreedomContractingServices.com. This venture allows him to provide essential services such as remodeling and repairs, compensating for the financial and professional loss experienced due to his termination.

Key Points:

• Business Establishment: Transitioning from firefighting to self-employment to sustain his family.
• Family Support: His wife manages the business’s administrative aspects, enabling David to focus on the technical and operational side.
• Continued Community Ties: Despite leaving the department, David maintains strong connections with former colleagues and remains active in the firefighting community.

Notable Quote:

John: "We've lost almost everything material. Almost everything."
[85:29]

Mental Health and Firefighter Wellbeing

David emphasizes the escalating issue of mental health within the firefighting profession, noting that firefighter suicide rates have surpassed deaths from cancer and heart attacks on duty. The traumatic experiences inherent to firefighting, combined with the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent job loss, have significantly impacted the mental well-being of many firefighters.

Key Points:

• Mental Health Struggles: Exposure to life-threatening situations and high-stress environments contribute to psychological strain.
• Stigma and Culture: A culture of bravado and reluctance to seek help exacerbates mental health issues.
• Call for Support: David advocates for increased mental health resources and destigmatization of seeking psychological assistance.

Notable Quote:

John: "There is a lot of stuff that we see that you can't unsee."
[138:46]

Call to Action: Supporting the Legal Fight

To sustain their legal battle against unjust termination, David and his fellow plaintiffs have established a nonprofit organization, SeattleFired.com, aimed at raising funds to cover legal expenses. They appeal to listeners for financial support, emphasizing that contributions will directly aid their fight for justice and civil rights.

Key Points:

• Nonprofit Initiative: Facilitating donations to support ongoing litigation.
• Financial Needs: Legal battles are costly, and the group operates on a "pay as we go" basis.
• Broader Impact: Success in their case could set precedents for other public employees facing similar mandates.

Notable Quote:

John: "The biggest smooth stones is financial help."
[150:56]

Closing Thoughts: Resilience and Future Plans

Despite the immense challenges, David remains optimistic about the future. He expresses a desire to eventually retire from firefighting and enjoy personal pursuits like traveling, while continuing to support his family's needs through his contracting business.

Notable Quote:

John: "But my wife and I, we went through the numbers, we looked at it, we said, it's. This is the damage it's gonna, but frankly, we need it to be able to simply survive."
[89:32]

David also touches upon the importance of community solidarity and the need for systemic changes to prevent such civil rights violations in the future.

Conclusion

Episode 401 of Cleared Hot offers a compelling narrative of resilience in the face of institutional adversity. David Dahlin's story underscores the profound personal and professional impacts of enforcing public health mandates without accommodating individual beliefs. As the legal battle unfolds, David's journey serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between public safety and individual rights.

Supporting Resources:

• Donate to Support the Legal Fight: SeattleFired.com
• David Dahlin's Contracting Business: FreedomContractingServices.com

Note: This summary is based on a detailed transcript of the podcast episode and aims to encapsulate the key discussions and insights shared by David Dahlin and host Andy Stumpf.