DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Extension of Line of Duty Leave
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance would extend the line-of-duty (LOD) leave for Fire Engineer Richard Ortiz. He was charged accrued leave from March 9, 2019 until April 23, 2019 for an on the job injury which occurred while on duty March 5, 2018. This ordinance will restore three hundred and eighty-four (384) hours, or sixteen (16) shifts of accrued leave. Approval of this ordinance is only within the authority of City Council. The Local Government Code, Chapter 143.073, states that after the one-year initial period of leave, the municipality’s governing body may extend the line of duty illness or injury leave at full or reduced pay. This will allow the Department to consider this period line of duty leave.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Fire Engineer Ortiz was moving Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) containers from the apparatus to be refilled when he injured his right shoulder while on duty on March 5, 2018. He was diagnosed with right shoulder strain, Superior Labral tear from Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) tear and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder. Mr. Ortiz underwent labrum repair surgery followed by extensive physical therapy and work conditioning. On Line of Duty leave from March 9, 2018 until March 8, 2019. He began using additional accrued leave on March 9, 2019 until April 23, 2019. Fire Engineer Ortiz returned to duty on April 24, 2019.
ISSUE:
Fire Engineer Richard Ortiz seeks an extension of Line of Duty leave from March 9, 2019 until April 23, 2019 for an on the job injury suffered on March 5, 2018. This extension will restore 384 hours, or 16 shifts, of his accrued leave. Chapter 143 gives the City Council the authority to grant the extension of line-of-duty leave.
ALTERNATIVES:
Without approval by the City Council to grant the extension of line-of duty leave, Fire Engineer Ortiz would be required to utilize earned personal leave for an injury which occurred during the performance of his official duties with the City of San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Fire Engineer Ortiz might use his restored leave in the future, and receive payment for up to three hundred and eighty-four (384) hours, or sixteen (16) shifts of accrued leave. This ordinance has an estimated potential fiscal impact of $10,717.44 based on current Collective Bargaining Agreement rates.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this Ordinance to extend the Line of Duty (LOD) for Fire Engineer Richard Ortiz.