Local firefighters issue concerns over FFCRA

There have been issues raised with the recently passed bill — Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA — H.R. 6201) — which includes a section excluding "emergency responders." Randy Ruble, union president of Tiffin Firefighters Local 322, said as a union, they are frustrated as they are on the front lines, battling this fight everyday, coming in contact with individuals who may show signs of symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The FFCR, which went into effect Wednesday, includes amendments expanding the reasons for the use of Family Medical Leave. Under section 3105 of the act, "employers are permitted to exclude emergency responders from the application of the provisions of the FFCRA." According to a letter sent by Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz, "All city employees are considered emergency responders and essential to the continuing operations of city services. For this reason, they are also subject to the exclusion provisions of the FFCRA as emergency responders and not eligible for emergency leave or additional sick leave under the FFCRA." To combat the exclusion listed in the bill, the city is planning to cover medical costs and expenses for employees who may become sick because of COVID-19. Montz said they had to wait for information from counsel on what the city could provide. "This was not done to be malicious, nor does it impact the eligibility of city employees to access all other provisions of the Family Medical Leave Act or the City's extensive benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, vacation, etc.," Montz said. The decision was made to help ensure sufficient personnel are available to perform the critical mission of protecting the public during this crisis. The additional two weeks of FMLA benefits afforded under this act was intended to provide relief if the employee was not critical to the needs of the employer during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Montz, the city has a relatively small staff to support the nearly 18,000 residents of Tiffin. First responders, such as fire, police and 911 dispatchers, comprise nearly half of all city employees. "The health and safety of these emergency responders remains an important priority of city leadership as we continue to meet our ongoing responsibilities to the public," Montz said. "So too does the remainder of the city staff, such as Public Works, Water Pollution Control personnel, etc., are also essential to maintaining critical infrastructure and supplying first responders with the resources they need (including equipment, wages, supplies, etc.) to fulfill their jobs." Due to all work not being able to be accomplished remotely, these aforementioned employees too were designated as "emergency responders" for the duration of this pandemic. The city is to continue to process applications for leave under the existing provisions of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Montz said the city is to provide all city employees additional protections. Protections include the waiving of all-out-of-pocket expenses incurred by employees and their insured family members related to COVID-19 testing and treatment. This includes deductibles, co-pays, hospitalizations and other prescribed treatments. According to the letter, Montz said. "because of the exclusion of 'emergency responders" in the law, the city will not approve requests for emergency leave or sick leave under the Family and Medical Leave Expansion or the Paid Sick Leave provisions of the FFCRA." To read the bill in full, visit www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201/text.