Leave of absence: firefighters.

Existing law establishes a workers' compensation system, administered by the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, to compensate an employee for injuries sustained in the course of employment. Among other workers' compensation benefits, existing law entitles a member of the Department of Justice who comes within the "state peace officer/firefighter" class, a law enforcement officer employed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a harbor police officer employed by the San Francisco Port Commission, as specified, who is disabled by injury arising out of and in the course of the member's duties, to a leave of absence while so disabled without loss of salary, in lieu of disability payments, for a period not exceeding one year. This bill would make that benefit available to all rank-and-file and supervisory firefighters employed by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection whose principal duties include active fire suppression or prevention services.