(a)
(1) After January 1, 2004, no person shall be hired as a full-time firefighter by any local government firefighting unit for a period exceeding one (1) year or for a cumulative time exceeding two thousand nine hundred twelve (2,912) compensated hours unless that person is certified as having completed the mandatory training requirements in subsection (c) of this section.
(2) Any state agency or political subdivision that employs a person as a firefighter for a period exceeding one (1) year or for a cumulative time exceeding two thousand nine hundred twelve (2,912) compensated hours who does not meet the requirements of subsection (c) of this section is prohibited from performing the duties of fire suppression, rescue, pump operations, or other fire ground activities as described in § 20-22-802(5).
(3) The Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board may grant an extension to individuals employed within the guidelines as established by the board.
(b) Firefighters serving as full-time employees before January 1, 2004, in a local firefighting unit shall not be required to meet the minimum requirements in subsection (c) of this section.
(c)
(1) The uniform training standards for entry level, full-time firefighters shall consist of satisfactory completion of a training program administered by the Arkansas Fire Training Academy which shall utilize the “National Fire Protection Association 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications”.
(2) The academy shall be the certifying agency for fire service personnel.
(3) Any person seeking employment from another state shall submit his or her certification to the academy for review and approval.
Structure Arkansas Code
Title 20 - Public Health and Welfare
Subtitle 2 - Health and Safety
Chapter 22 - Fire Prevention, Protection, and Safety
Subchapter 8 - Fire Protection Services
§ 20-22-801. Legislative findings
§ 20-22-803. Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board — Creation — Membership
§ 20-22-804. Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board — Duties and powers
§ 20-22-805. Office of Fire Protection Services — Creation
§ 20-22-806. Certification and classification of fire departments
§ 20-22-807. Authority of certified fire departments
§ 20-22-808. Limited immunity of certified fire departments
§ 20-22-809. Workers' compensation