Baker City, Oregon – A former firefighter, embroiled in a legal battle with Baker City, revealed his deep affection for his past employment while testifying in a local court. Three years after his dismissal during a long recovery from COVID-19, Jason Bybee shared his ongoing struggle with health issues and his disappointment over the termination of his role. He is now seeking $800,000 in damages, encompassing both economic and non-economic losses.
The dispute unfolded in Baker County Circuit Court, where Bybee disclosed that he was unaware of alternative city job openings until after his firing on February 7, 2022. This legal confrontation, initiated in August 2023, targets both the city and its then city manager, Jonathan Cannon, who made the decision to dismiss Bybee.
Bybee’s affection for his former job was palpable as he described joining the fire department around 2010, starting as a paid volunteer before advancing to a full-time firefighter and EMT. His responsibilities included the standard shift pattern of 24 hours on duty followed by 48 hours off. He recounted the satisfaction and camaraderie he experienced while serving the community.
His ordeal began after contracting COVID-19 on October 26, 2020, while responding to an emergency involving an infected resident. Despite taking precautions like wearing an N95 mask and goggles, Bybee fell ill, enduring severe symptoms that predominantly confined him to his bed for several weeks. These health challenges persisted, affecting his ability to speak without frequent pauses for breath and leading to prolonged fatigue.
During the trial, presided over by a 12-member jury, Bybee expressed his frustration over the city’s rejection keeping him from other potential roles within the municipal framework. His attorney, Richard Myers, underscored the city’s alleged failure to explore these opportunities for Bybee, who was medically cleared for work that differed from his firefighting duties shortly after his dismissal.
Further complicating matters, Myers introduced testimony from Dawn Kitzmiller, the city’s interim human resources manager during part of 2021, Stacy Spriet, her successor, and Jonathan Cannon. Discussions centered on whether city officials sufficiently considered Bybee for alternative positions he was capable of handling, given his medical condition.
Cannon’s stance was challenged under Myers’ questioning, particularly regarding city correspondence claiming no suitable positions were available for Bybee, despite evidence to the contrary. Moreover, Spriet’s deposition highlighted a potential oversight in failing to actively consider reassignment options for Bybee, a practice prescribed under disability law to accommodate employees like him.
As the trial progresses, with further testimony anticipated from city officials, the focus remains squarely on the adequacy of the city’s response to Bybee’s predicament and whether his civil rights, under employment and disability laws, were upheld.
This lawsuit illuminates the broader challenges faced by employees recovering from long-term health effects post-COVID-19, especially when returning to work or seeking reassignment. The outcome could underscore important precedents regarding employer responsibilities and workers’ rights in similar contexts.
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