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 Frank Menchaca. He was charged accrued leave from July 20, 2010 to January 11, 2011 for an on the job injury which occurred while on duty February 9, 2008. This ordinance will restore eight hundred eighty eight (888) hours, or thirty seven shifts (37) 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 Menchaca injured his left shoulder and cervical spine while lifting a patient out of an ambulance. He was diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear in his left shoulder and cervical herniations at C5 to C7. Fire Engineer Menchaca had conservative medical treatment which included physical therapy, diagnostic tests, injections, and medications prior to surgical repair of his left rotator cuff. On July 20, 2010, he underwent a left shoulder arthroscopy to repair the rotator cuff, followed by post operative physical therapy and rehabilitation. On Line of Duty leave from February 13, 2008 until February 12, 2009. He returned to work in a light duty capacity from February 13, 2009 until July 19, 2010. He began using his own leave on July 20, 2010 to January 11, 2011. Fire Engineer Frank Menchaca returned to light duty on January 12, 2011.
ISSUE:
Fire Engineer Frank Menchaca, seeks an extension of Line of Duty leave from July 20, 2010 to January 11, 2011 for an injury suffered on February 9, 2008. This extension will restore 888 hours, or 37 shifts, of his accrued leave. Chapter 143 gi...
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