The retirement, with continuance of pay for
themselves, provision for dependents, and pay during temporary disability, and
the encouragement of long service in fire fighting service, of paid
firefighters becoming aged or disabled in the service of the state or any of
its cities or fire districts, is hereby declared to be a public purpose of
joint concern to the state and each of its cities and fire districts in the
protection and conservation of property and lives and essential to the
maintenance of competent and efficient personnel in fire service.
The provisions of chapter 14, title 72, Idaho Code, are applicable only to
those paid firefighters who were employed as paid firefighters prior to
October 1, 1980. If any person employed as a paid firefighter prior to October
1, 1980, should leave such employment prior to his establishing eligibility to
benefits under any provision of chapter 14, title 72, Idaho Code, except as
provided by sections 44-109(6), 72-1445 [72-1444], and 72-1444 [72-1443],
Idaho Code, and such firefighter is again employed as a paid firefighter, he
shall not be eligible to participate in the retirement system authorized by
chapter 14, title 72, Idaho Code, but shall be eligible to participate in the
public employee retirement system, as provided in chapter 13, title 59, Idaho
Code. |
