1. (a) Full-time career fire service personnel shall, prior to completion of their first year of appointment, be certified to any edition of the NFPA professional qualification for firefighters at the Firefighter II level or equivalent.

2. (b) The commission shall grant an extension to the time limit set forth in Fire 701.02(a) for the completion of the training program upon receipt of a written request from the hiring authority setting forth the reasons therefor for good cause shown, provided that:

   1. (1) Extensions of the time limit for completion of the training program shall not exceed 2 years from the original date of appointment; and

   2. (2) For the purposes of this section, good cause shall include the unavailability of such a program, or a firefighter being unable to complete the training within the prescribed period due to:

      1. a. Illness
      2. b. Injury;
      3. c. Military service;
      4. d. Special duty assignments made in the public interest; or
      5. e. Other reasons outside of the firefighter’s control.

3. (c) The requirements of Fire 701.02(a) shall not apply when a full-time career fire service personnel:

   1. (1) Has previously met the requirements of Fire 701.02(a); and

   2. (2) Is placed in lay off status due to a reduction in force.

      Source #5726, eff 10-21-93, EXPIRED: 10-21-99

Source. New. #7145, INTERIM, eff 12-2-99, EXPIRED: 3-31-00 New. #7332, eff 8-1-00; ss by #7915, eff 7-2-03; ss by #9319-B, eff 11-12-08, EXPIRED: 11-12-16 New. #12099, INTERIM, eff 2-2-17, EXPIRES: 8-1-17; ss by #12225-B, eff 6-28-17; ss by #14172, eff 1-10-25