Explanation
On July 15, 2002, while on duty, Firefighter Andy Trott, was the driver of Ladder #13, which was on an emergency run with lights and sirens attempting to turn left onto North High St. from Arcadia. During the commission of the turn, he was unable to slow down, causing Ladder #13 to lose control. Ladder #13 traveled across High St. into a curb causing the vehicle to strike shrubs and a tree, and flipping on its side and sliding into the building located at 2711 N. High Street. As a result of that accident, Firefighter Trott suffered an open wound to the buttock, contusion of the lower left leg, sprained neck, sprained shoulder, sprained foot, open wound of back, sprained lumbosacral, degenerative joint disease in his shoulder, chronic sinusitis, protruding disc, spinal stenosis, and post traumatic stress.
After exhausting injury leave allowable under the current collective bargaining agreement, i.e., 180 days, Firefighter Trott applied for an extension of injury leave of six months, i.e, and another 180 days. However, because the Board of Industrial Relations denied that request, he was forced to use 336 hours of his vacation and sick leave balances to enable him to continue medical treatment for his injuries.
City Council believes it is appropriate to reinstate said personal time since Firefighter Trott was faced with a situation involving danger to human life or destruction of property, and he responded as required by the Division's "System Manual" and "Standard Operating Procedures".
Title
To authorize the reinstatement of 279 hours sick leave and 57 vacation leave hours (336 total hours) of accumulated sick leave and vacation leave to Firefighter Andy Trott, and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Firefighter Andy Trott was involved in an accident where he received injuries causing him to be off work, and
WHEREAS, his request for injury leave with pay was denied by the Board of Industrial Relations, and
WHEREAS, it was necessary for him to take leave in the amount of 336 hours to cover his time off due to his injury, and
WHEREAS, it is the intention of this ordinance to reinstate 279 hours of sick leave to his sick leave balance, and 57 hours of vacation leave to his vacation leave balance, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Fire, Department of Public Safety that it is necessary to immediate restore sick and vacation leave to Firefighter Trott so that he may remain on duty and to preserve the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1. That the credit of 279 hours of sick leave and 57 hours of vacation leave be and it is hereby authorized and directed to be added to Firefighter Andy Trott's sick leave and vacation balances respectively, as accumulated.
SECTION 2. That the balance be adjusted accordingly to reflect this reinstatement of sick leave and vacation leave hours.
SECTION 3. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.