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 Martin Conner. He was charged accrued leave from October 1, 2014 to December 3, 2014 for an on the job injury which occurred while on duty October 1, 2013. This ordinance will restore three hundred 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 Conner injured his left hip and abdomen while he was exiting an ambulance. He was diagnosed with a left hip groin strain/sprain and left lower abdominal strain. Fire Engineer Conner had conservative medical treatment which included physical therapy, diagnostic tests, injections, chiropractic care and medications prior to a left hip arthroscopy and labral repair surgery on February 19, 2014. He continued physical therapy post surgery and underwent work hardening before returning to work full duty. On Line of Duty leave from October 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014. He began using his own leave on October 1, 2014 to December 3, 2014. Fire Engineer Martin Conner returned to full duty on December 4, 2014.
ISSUE:
Fire Engineer Martin Conner, seeks an extension of Line of Duty leave from October 1, 2014 to December 3, 2014 for an injury that occurred on October 1, 2013. 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 Conner would be required to utilize earned sick leave for an injury which occurred during the performance of his official duties with the City of San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This extension would have no immediate fiscal impact; however, the value of three hundred eighty-four (384) hours, based on current Collective Bargaining Agreement rates, would be $14,983.68.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this Ordinance to extend the Line of Duty (LOD) for Fire Engineer Martin Conner.