By Yolanda Woodlee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 8, 2008

D.C. firefighters would be given nearly two years to recover from major injuries suffered from battling fires if emergency legislation is approved today, city officials said.

Under District law, firefighters severely burned on duty are given 192 days, or 64 work shifts, to recover. D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) said yesterday that emergency legislation would be on the council's agenda to extend that recovery period to nearly two years, or 170 work shifts.

The bill was drafted to address the concerns of Sgt. Michael LaCore and Charlie Shyab, firefighters injured in a blaze at a Capitol Hill rowhouse in October. If they fail to return to work in the 192-day period, they must retire and accept a disability pension, which would pay 70 percent of their salaries .

"If you do die, you get a full pension," Mendelson said in an interview. "I don't think any firefighters should be worrying about losing their jobs while recovering."

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) held a news conference yesterday soon after Mendelson said he would introduce the bill. Fenty, who appeared with Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin at a fire station, said he had been unaware of the time limitations. Although he had not spoken to council members, he said, he held the conference to support the bill and because Rubin wanted the administration to speak out.

Fenty said he was "personally surprised" that firefighters who are still recovering after a year are not allowed to return to their jobs. He said the policy is unfair when firefighters risk their lives to save residents, property and colleagues. LaCore's mother, Madeline, contacted the mayor's office about two months ago to complain that her son's livelihood would be affected. LaCore, 38, an 18-year veteran, suffered second- and third-degree burns over more than half of his body.

"I think it's great," said LaCore, who is married with four children. "What are you telling men if they do their job and get hurt?"

Mendelson said that Lt. Joe Morgan, who nearly died in a 1999 fire, was allowed to teach at the fire academy but was later dismissed because his injuries left him unable to handle the heat from fires. He said he does not want to see that happen again.

Kelly Aldridge, whose husband, Floyd, was injured in 2005, said her family is suffering financially because he cannot work. The couple have four children, and he gets $2,500 a month in disability pay, she said.

"It may not help my husband, but I don't want any firefighter sitting in their bed worrying," Aldridge said. "It's been very difficult for my family."

Staff writer Nikita Stewart contributed to this report.