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 Rudolph Mazon. He was charged accrued leave from September 21, 2014 to August 18, 2015 for on the job injuries which occurred while on duty September 20, 2013. This ordinance will restore two thousand six hundred sixty-four (2664) hours, or one hundred eleven (111) 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 Mazon injured his upper and lower back while lifting a patient in a confined space on September 20, 2013. He was diagnosed with thoracic and lumbar sprains, lumbar disc herniations, as well as, an abdominal strain with right inguinal hernia. Fire Engineer Mazon had conservative medical treatment which included physical therapy, diagnostic tests, injections, chiropractic care and medications prior to surgery. He had two surgical procedures to his lumbar spine and a hernia repair before having physical therapy and a home exercise program after each surgery. He was on Line of Duty leave from September 21, 2013 until September 20, 2014. He began using his own leave on September 21, 2014 to August 18, 2015. Fire Engineer Rudolph Mazon returned to light duty on August 19, 2015 and continues to present.
ISSUE:
Fire Engineer Rudolph Mazon, seeks an extension of Line of Duty leave from September 21, 2014 to August 18, 2015 for an injury suffered on September 20, 2013. This extension will restore 2664 hours, or 111 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 Mazon 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 two thousand six hundred sixty-four (2664) hours, based on current Collective Bargaining Agreement rates, would be $73,393.20.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this Ordinance to extend the Line of Duty (LOD) for Fire Engineer Rudolph Mazon.