The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - A firefighter who donated a kidney for his mother said he was lucky to have colleagues who volunteered to cover his shifts so he would get paid during his eight-week recovery.

But Columbus Fire Lt. Ryan Brzezinski wanted all city employees who donate an organ to have paid leave from their jobs. "With this job, we're fortunate enough to have people cover for you, but not everyone else has that," he said.

Columbus City Council adopted the ordinance in June, after Jim Davis of the firefighters' union approached the council. Councilwoman Charleta B. Tavares sponsored the legislation.

"If someone is magnanimous enough to give the gift of life, we can allow them to do so and not worry about their pay," she said.

The ordinance allows employees to be paid up to 30 days a calendar year if they donate a kidney or part of their liver, lung or pancreas. Those who donate bone marrow receive up to 56 hours of paid leave a year.

Employees for the state of Ohio are already guaranteed the paid leave. Now, if city labor unions sign off on the ordinance, Brzezinski will be reimbursed for vacation and sick leave he used after the operation.

Brzezinski's mother, Betty, was on daily dialysis for more than three years. Brzezinski gave her his kidney as a gift for her 60th birthday.