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 Lieutenant Joseph Arrambide. He was charged accrued leave from December 8, 2014 to March 15, 2015 for an on the job injury which occurred while on duty December 4, 2013. This ordinance will restore eight hundred sixteen (816) hours, or thirty-four (34) 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 Lieutenant Arrambide injured his right knee when he fell from a fire apparatus. He was diagnosed with a torn medial meniscus of the right knee. Fire Lieutenant Arrambide had conservative medical treatment which included physical therapy, diagnostic tests, injections, and medications prior to a right knee arthroscopy on February 06, 2014. Lt. Arrambide’s symptoms were not relieved with conservative measures and he underwent a total knee replacement on November 13, 2014. Following complications of the surgery, which required inpatient rehabilitation, he continued with occupational and physical therapy before returning to work full duty. On Line of Duty leave from December 8, 2013 until December 7, 2014. He began using his own leave on December 8, 2014 to March 15, 2015. Fire Lieutenant Joseph Arrambide returned to full duty on March 16, 2015.
ISSUE:
Fire Lieutenant Joseph Arrambide, seeks an extension of Line of Duty leave from December 8, 2014 to March 15, 2015 for an injury suffered on December 4, 2013. This extension will restore 816 hours, or 34 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 Lieutenant Arrambide 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 eight hundred sixteen (816) hours, based on current Collective Bargaining Agreement rates, would be $26,976.96.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this Ordinance to extend the Line of Duty (LOD) for Fire Lieutenant Joseph Arrambide.