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 (FE) Kelly Abbott. He was charged accrued leave from November 20, 2015 to April 29, 2016 for an on the job injury which occurred while on duty November 29, 2012. This ordinance will restore one thousand one hundred ten (1110) hours, or forty-six shifts and six hours (46.25) 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:
FE Abbott was injured November 29, 2012 while unloading a heavy patient out of the EMS unit. He was diagnosed with lumbar mild disc bulges and lumbar arthropathy resulting in stenosis. He had conservative medical treatment which included physical therapy, diagnostic tests, injections, chiropractic care and medications with no relief of symptoms. FE Abbott underwent L4-5 bilateral laminectomy, discectomy, foraminotomy and inpatient anterior/posterior lumbar fusion 360 at L4-S. He continued physical therapy and the use of a bone stimulator. He was placed on Line of Duty leave intermittently from November 30, 2012 thru November 1, 2014. FE worked light duty from November 2, 2014 until November 19, 2015 and began using his own leave from November 20, 2015 thru April 29, 2016.
ISSUE:
Fire Engineer Kelly Abbott, seeks an extension of Line of Duty leave from November 20, 2015 to April 29, 2016 for an injury suffered on November 29, 2012. This extension will restore 1110 hours, or 46.25 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 Abbott 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 one thousand one hundred ten (1110) hours, based on current Collective Bargaining Agreement rates, would be $40,881.30.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this Ordinance to extend the Line of Duty (LOD) for Fire Engineer Kelly Abbott.