City of San Antonio - File #: 20-1067

• File #: 20-1067
• Type: Miscellaneous Item
• In control: City Council A Session
• On agenda: 1/30/2020
• Posting Language: Ordinance amending the Fire Department Uniform Personnel Ranks included in the FY 2020 adopted budget. This action increases the number of Fire Captain positions by one (1) and reduces the number of Firefighter positions by (1) effective February 1, 2020, the additional cost associated with this change will be funded from existing appropriations in the Fire Department General Fund Budget. [María Villagómez, Deputy City Manager; Charles N. Hood, Fire Chief]

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
1/30/2020	1	City Council A Session	adopted	Pass

DEPARTMENT: Fire

DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood


COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide


SUBJECT: Reclassification of Firefighter Position


SUMMARY:

This ordinance authorizes SAFD to reclassify a vacant Firefighter position to Fire Captain for a total additional cost of $20,511.92. Funding for this reclassification is available within the FY 2020 General Fund budget. The FY 2020 authorized uniform personnel count for SAFD is 1,766; with this action the total authorized uniform personnel count remains at 1,766.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

SAFD Personnel Services Division is currently responsible for management and processing all workers' compensation claims submitted by the department's uniformed employees. The Personnel Services Division receives injury reports from the various divisions within the department, and then works in close coordination with City of San Antonio (COSA) Risk Management and the third party administrator to administer the claim on behalf of the employee.


ISSUE:
The SAFD is in need of a position at the Captain rank that will be responsible for providing assistance to employees injured in the line of duty as they navigate through the workers' compensation claims process. This position will be designed to shepherd employees through all facets of the process including, but not limited to:

o Ensuring required documentation is completed and submitted in an accurate and timely manner.
o Identifying workers' compensation physicians within the network that specialize in the type and severity of injury sustained by the employee.
o Educating the employee about the workers' compensation process, as well as the various options that may be available.
o Assisting with the appointment scheduling process as necessary.
o Assisting, to the extent allowed by law, in any dispute process necessary to ensure the employee receives appropriate treatment including attending hearings or other administrative proceedings if requested by the employee.

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