Norwell nursing home orders shots for firefighters

A week after half of the department was forced to go into quarantine when one of its members tested positive for the coronavirus, Norwell firefighters received vaccines Wednesday at a local nursing home that had ordered doses for them.

Sam Mamary, executive director of Royal Norwell Nursing and Rehabilitation, said that in September, he ordered 70 doses for residents, 70 for staff and 20 for local first responders, including fire department EMTs and paramedics who are frequently called to the home.

“It only made sense to include them in the vaccination process so that everybody can be safe in the building,” Mamary said.

The doses arrived Wednesday, and local firefighters lined up at the home to receive the vaccine a week after eight of the department’s members had to be quarantined because they had come into contact with a COVID-positive firefighter.

“We can’t afford to lose guys on quarantine,” said Fire Chief Jeff Simpson. “But the last thing we want is to be a super spreader.”

Jon Healy, a firefighter and paramedic who was vaccinated, said he initially had some concerns about potential side effects.

“But in my opinion, the benefits outweigh them,”

Healy said. “We have a responsibility to get vaccinated so that we’re not bringing the virus into people’s homes and putting them at risk.”

The firefighters who were vaccinated Wednesday will return to the home in 21 days for a second dose, which was manufactured by Pfizer.

Firefighters, police and emergency medical responders across the state are all in line to begin receiving vaccines next week.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Monday that shots for first responders will start Monday, something union leaders say “can’t come soon enough.”

The administration caught flak from the statewide firefighters union last week over a “lack of communication” regarding the details of the vaccine rollout for first responders. On Monday after Baker’s plan was announced, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts President Richard MacKinnon Jr. said many of those issues were “resolved.”

“Our members are eager and willing and for many, this can’t come soon enough,” MacKinnon told the Herald.

MATT sTonE phoTos / hErAld sTAff TEMP CHECK: Norwell Fire Capt. Bill Milne gets his temperature taken at the Royal Health Group before getting vaccinated Wednesday in Norwell. At right, Norwell Chief Jeff Simpson gets his COVID-19 vaccine.