Unlimited Sick Time for Ind. Firefighter Has Critics

Sept. 12--One firefighter's extended medical leave has some members of the Logansport City Council considering changes in the city's policy of unlimited sick time.

Brad Helvie, a 19-year veteran of the Logansport Fire Department, has been on sick leave since late last year because of a heart condition. Councilman Scott Kraud pointed out during recent budget talks that Helvie has been receiving 100 percent of his salary.

"He hasn't worked; he hasn't missed a paycheck," Kraud said.

In December, doctors told Helvie that he had an enlarged heart. Further testing revealed that a virus had been attacking Helvie's heart for more than a year. He has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease that deteriorates the function of the heart. In March, surgeons installed a heart pump.

In an interview Friday, Helvie said he intended to return to work. He believes there is hope that he will be weaned off the heart pump, which can be removed if his heart is strong enough to function on its own.

"I'm in denial of nothing," Helvie said. "My goal is to get back to work."

Kraud believes Helvie is taking advantage of the unlimited sick time policy on the books for city employees. He also suggested that his unwillingness to move onto disability was hurting the fire department because Chief Bernie Mittica cannot hire a replacement while paying Helvie to stay home.

"He is hamstringing his chief," Kraud said. "These guys are all about fire protection and saving people's lives, and he's being selfish by staying on because he wants his paycheck."

Mittica recently asked for 34 positions on the fire department. Kraud claimed that Mittica would not need the additional manpower if Helvie would go on disability and the city dealt with what Kraud calls the excessive six weeks of vacation allotted to senior firefighters.

So, the council is on track to give Mittica 32 positions, one more than he had been operating with this year. The council also plans to reduce the department's overtime pay by $20,000 next year. This year, the department is on pace to spend $60,000 in that account.

Helvie defended his position. He said his health was improving and certain medical restrictions had been lifted. He also pointed out that he was exercising a benefit offered to city employees, including many public safety officers over the years.

"I gave them 19 years of my good life, and now they're wanting to run me over," Helvie said.

He said he had no intention of going on disability. He still has bills to pay. If he quits the department, he fears he will never be able to suit up as a Logansport firefighter again.

Councilman Chuck LaDow agreed with Kraud that the sick time policy needed to be addressed.

"If that's creating a hardship, we need to take a look at that," he said.

Councilman Kerry Worthington's perspective mirrored that of Helvie. He said he understood Helvie's desire to do everything he could to get back to work.

"This is their life," Worthington said. "I wouldn't say he was abusing it myself."

Councilman Brannon Meagher expressed interest in figuring out a solution to unlimited sick time, as well as the personal and vacation time, to protect the fire department from labor constraints in the future.

Mayor Mike Fincher said he had been unable to obtain information on Helvie's medical condition to help determine the odds of his return. The mayor said he had involved the city attorney.

"We've tried to be fair here, and it just hasn't worked," said Fincher, who added that Helvie was not breaking any rules or laws.

Helvie said his health had improved dramatically in recent months, but he said he had no timeline for removing the heart pump, which he called a "long, drawn-out process." He also said he did not need the stress created by city officials seeking to place additional hardship on his family.

"I just don't understand how people could try to take advantage of somebody, kick them when they're down and out," he said. "That's very upsetting to me."

The issue has not been placed on a coming agenda. Kraud indicated the matter would be addressed sometime after tonight's meeting, where the council is set to take final action on next year's city budget.