§ 86-32. Fire and police personnel; medical expenses.

(a)

Medical care. In case of an accident resulting in an injury to or death of a police officer or firefighter in the employ of the city while in the performance of his duties, the city manager shall have authority to secure and provide proper medical care and hospital treatment for any such police officer or firefighter and for such reason to incur expense in connection with such injury or death to be paid from funds appropriated for such purpose by the city council or from proceeds of insurance funds.

(b)

Investigation of facts. It shall be the duty of the city manager to make a complete investigation of all facts surrounding any accident resulting in an injury to or death of a police officer or firefighter in the employ of the city while in the performance of his duties, to obtain the statements of all material witnesses and to present a report thereof to the city council. Such report shall also include:

(1)

The date and hour of any such accident;

(2)

The place of occurrence of the accident;

(3)

The names and addresses of witnesses;

(4)

The apparent nature and extent of the injury; and

(5)

Whether the injury or death was caused under circumstances creating legal liability for damages on the part of a person other than the city.

(c)

Payment of expenses. All bills showing the items of expense incurred for any medical care and hospital treatment referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall be presented to the city manager, who shall satisfy himself as to the reasonableness of the charges made for the services rendered and make his recommendation to the city council as to the payment of such items of expense by the city. The city council shall make its determination on the matter and, if necessary, appropriate funds to cover the items of expense.

(d)

Reimbursement by third person. If the city attorney is of the opinion that any accident referred to in this section created a legal liability for damages on the part of a person other than the city, it shall be the duty of the city manager to demand reimbursement from such person to the city for the amount expended by the city for the medical care and hospital treatment of any such police officer or firefighter. In default of payment of such expended amount, the city attorney may institute proceedings to recover for the city of the amount expended.

(e)

Repeal. This section shall not be repealed by any other ordinance unless the repealing ordinance specifically mentions this Code section by number.

(Ord. No. 97-10058, 10-29-1997)