ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 14-168 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, HOUSTON, TEXAS, relating to Attendance, Workweek, and Overtime Compensation; containing findings and other provisions relating to the foregoing subject; providing for severability

The Human Resources Department is recommending approval of an amendment to Section 14-168(g) to allow the Human Resources Director to approve exempt Houston Fire Department Physicians to receive special assignment pay.

The Houston Fire Department has initiated an Emergency Tele-Health and Navigation (ETHAN) program which utilizes telemedicine and technology innovation to provide effective emergency health care to the public while reducing the number of individuals requiring ambulance transport and treatment at hospital emergency rooms. The ETHAN program relies upon physicians staffing a 24 hour call center to interact with patients and Paramedics/EMTs in the Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division. In order to provide an adequate number of physicians to staff the call center, physicians employed by the Fire Department may volunteer to work in the ETHAN program in addition to their regular assignments. These HFD physicians are classified as exempt employees. In order to provide compensation to these HFD physicians at the market rate being paid to the physicians who have contracted to provide their services on ETHAN, the Fire Department needs to have authority to request special assignment pay. The proposed amendment to Section 14-168(g) utilizes an established process which allows the Human Resources Director to review and authorize special assignment pay at a rate greater than 1½ times the employee’s regular hourly rate of pay.

Essential Public Health Services Fund, and 1115 Waiver (2010) (Special Revenue Fund)

Dr. Michael G. Gonzalez - Associate EMS Physician (832) 394-6815