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 Jacob Chaulklin. He was charged accrued leave from October 29, 2014 to November 5, 2015 for an on the job injury which occurred while on duty October 27, 2013. This ordinance will restore one thousand six hundred ninety (1690) hours, or seventy shifts and ten hours (70.4) 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 Chaulklin injured his right shoulder while lifting the backend of the stretcher and placing a patient into an EMS unit. He was initially diagnosed with recurrent dislocation of his right shoulder. Fire Engineer Chaulklin had conservative medical treatment which included physical therapy, diagnostic tests, injections, chiropractic care and medications prior to surgery. On January 17, 2014, he underwent a right shoulder arthroscopy, followed by post operative physical therapy and rehabilitation. He began to experience difficulty with his shoulder and additional diagnostic testing was performed. He underwent an open reconstruction of the right shoulder on October 8, 2014 and continued with conservative chiropractic modalities. On August 18, 2015, he had a third surgical procedure which was the removal of surgical screws from his shoulder. He was on Line of Duty leave from October 29, 2013 until October 28, 2014. He began using his own leave on October 29, 2014 to November 5, 2015. Fire Engineer Jacob Chaulklin returned to full duty on November 6, 2015.
ISSUE:
Fire Engineer Jacob Chaulklin, seeks an extension of Line of Duty leave from October 29, 2014 to November 5, 2015 for an injury suffered on October 27, 2013. This extension will restore 1690 hours, or 70.4 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 Chaulklin 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 six hundred ninety (1690) hours, based on current Collective Bargaining Agreement rates, would be $59,099.30.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this Ordinance to extend the Line of Duty (LOD) for Fire Engineer Jacob Chaulklin.