Sec. 7.5. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), an individual whose employment by a fire department as a full-time firefighter begins after December 31, 2009, must complete the training for Firefighter I and Firefighter II during the firefighter's first year of employment. The fire department that employs a firefighter shall report to the education board when the firefighter has completed the training requirements established by this subsection.
(b) The education board may grant a firefighter any number of extensions of six (6) months to complete the training required under subsection (a). An extension must be requested by the fire department that employs the firefighter. An extension may be requested for any reason, including the following:
(1) The firefighter has been attending training in accordance with section 8 of this chapter in any of the following:
(A) Hazardous materials.
(B) Paramedic training.
(C) Emergency medical technician training.
(D) Technical training.
(2) The firefighter was unable to complete the training due to economic reasons.
(c) The education board shall determine whether a firefighter receives an extension under this section.
As added by P.L.110-2009, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.187-2021, SEC.142.