By C1 Staff
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Thirteen Escambia County employees who were injured in the April 2014 explosion that destroyed the county jail could lose their jobs if they don’t return to work next month.
The Pensacola News Journal reports that the employees received letters that informed them the county would proceed with medical separation if they were unable to return to full duty by May 15.
The letter states that employees will still continue to receive worker’s comp and that the county would cover the cost of their injury-related medical treatment.
Employees could be eligible to return to their jobs if they recovered within a year.
Kelley Bradford, one of the injured employees who was honored for her heroism in the rescue of another worker, objected to the way the situation is being handled.
“It does not matter that I am under doctor’s orders that restrict me from returning to work yet, and that still have sick leave that I could use while being treated by my doctor,” she wrote in response to the letter.
“I can only hope and pray that none of you ever have to live with the daily nightmares that I live with due to being blown up in your building. I guess the mighty dollar is more important than the people you employ.”
Thirty-six employees were present in the Escambia County Jail when a natural gas leak ignited in the basement April 30. The explosion killed two inmates ,paralyzed Correctional Officer Christopher Hankinson and wounded more than 180 people.
According to the county, all but 13 county employees have returned to work.
Bradford was awarded the Civilian Gold Medal of Honor for assisting in the rescue of Hankinson. She held his head above water for 45 minutes in the flooded jail basement until firefighters could locate them.
Read the full letter that discusses the employees’ termination below:
