Crime & Safety
Termination Hearings for Oswego Firefighter Battling MS Continue in July
Firefighter Dave Sackett did not accept an earlier proposal from the OFPD that would cut his pay and benefits for the same position and hearings will now continue.
Hearings will continue in July for Oswego firefighter paramedic turned inspector Dave Sackett who is battling primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
Last week Greg Friedman, from the law firm representing Sackett, said Sackett would not accept a proposal that would have cut his pay, reduced his benefits and would eliminate his eligibility to participate in the firefighters pension fund but allowed him to remain as a fire inspector.
Sackett was put on paid administrative leave with pay in December, and on April 19, the Fire Protection Board voted unanimously to suspend Sackett without pay, pending the outcome of a termination hearing that began May 30.
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At issue is whether Sackett is required to follow the same set of physical guidelines put in place for the district’s firefighter/paramedics.
At the hearing on Tuesday, Fire Chief Rick Nitzer said the fire inspector position must be filled by sworn firefighters who can go out on calls and having a civilian as an inspector would be “almost less than useful,” according to the Beacon.
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Sackett, who worked as a firefighter/paramedic with the district since 2005, was assigned to the department’s Fire Prevention Bureau as an inspector on Dec. 11, 2011 after informing Fire Chief Rick Neitzer that his MS would no longer allow him to continue to work as an “on-the-street” firefighter.
Friedman said the next termination hearings are scheduled for July 9 and July 10 at 8 a.m. at the Oswego Fire Protection District Station One.
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