DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The Dallas City Council unanimously approved, on Wednesday, a plan to make mental health leave available to all city employees.
Previously, after the passage of a new state law, licensed peace officers were the only city employees who could take mental health leave after experiencing a traumatic incident while on the job. But under the revised personnel rules approved by the Dallas City Council, firefighters can take up to 60 hours of paid leave for mental health, while other employees can take up to 40 hours.
According to the city, the plan is projected to cost about $705,600 annually. $592,782 of that total will come from the general fund. The total cost for the rest of the current fiscal year, which ends in October, is estimated to be $411,601.
”We must prioritize the mental health of our firefighters and all of our city employees who provide critical services to our residents,” Mayor Johnson said. “Through our vote today, we are sending our firefighters and other city employees a clear message: when you take care of us, we will take care of you.”
Before the vote, Public Safety Committee Chairman Adam McGough read a letter from the widow of a firefighter who had committed suicide.
Dallas Fire Fighters Association President Jim McDade, who advocated for the proposal, expressed gratitude for the vote.
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