South Carolina Firefighter Says Injury Led to Firing

A firefighter said he was fired by the city of Anderson after getting hurt on the job. "I raised my right hand and said I would protect the lives and the property of the citizens in this city", former firefighter Roger Odachowski told WYFF News 4's Ron Reynolds. "I never heard of something like this, that you can get injured on the job and get terminated for that." Odachowski said he injured the cartilage in his ankle while fighting a fire. "I went down some stairs and turned my ankle funny," he said. "I knew I was in pain, but we still had to get the place ventilated." Anderson's city administrator and fire Chief Jack Abraham sent termination letters to Odachowski. Abraham said the termination is in accordance with the city's policy. "After all of their available leave, including their family medical leave act protection has been exhausted, the city gives them an additional two weeks of leave to return to work", Abraham said. Odachowski said he receives about $1,300 per month from workmen's compensation, but said that he, his wife and son are without health coverage because it would cost $1,100 per month. Odachowski said it's difficult to explain the situation to his young son, who also said he wants to be a firefighter. "What do I tell him? I'm almost embarrassed to say that 'I don't know son, I was fired.' " Odachowski said. "My son asks me, 'Daddy when are you going to go back to fighting fires?' "