Ark. Code Ann. § 14-284-227: Residency requirement - Definition

(a) (1) As used in this section, "firefighter" means a full-time, paid member of a fire protection district who is employed by the board of commissioners of a fire protection district and whose primary duty is fighting fires. (2) "Firefighter" does not include the chief or head of the fire protection district. (b) A residency requirement for a fire protection district may be established by ordinance or resolution for firefighters or persons applying to be a firefighter only if the fire protection district: (1) Uses full-time, paid firefighters and volunteer firefighters; (2) Is a volunteer fire department; or (3) Uses part-time, paid firefighters and firefighters who are paid an appearance fee. (c) A residency requirement that is enacted under subsection (b) of this section shall not affect the residency or employment status of a firefighter who is employed with the fire protection district at the time the residency requirement is adopted. (d) For the purpose of hiring, a fire protection district may give preference to a person applying to be a firefighter who is a resident of the state or a county adjacent to the county in which the fire protection district is located. (e) This section does not affect a fire protection district's policies concerning: (1) The use of a vehicle owned by the fire protection district by a firefighter who is not on duty; or (2) Firefighters who, based on their assignment, are required to respond to an emergency or call out within a specific time period. Added by Act 2023, No. 487,§ 3, eff. 8/1/2023.

(a) (1) As used in this section, "firefighter" means a full-time, paid member of a fire protection district who is employed by the board of commissioners of a fire protection district and whose primary duty is fighting fires. (2) "Firefighter" does not include the chief or head of the fire protection district.

(1) As used in this section, "firefighter" means a full-time, paid member of a fire protection district who is employed by the board of commissioners of a fire protection district and whose primary duty is fighting fires.

(2) "Firefighter" does not include the chief or head of the fire protection district.

(b) A residency requirement for a fire protection district may be established by ordinance or resolution for firefighters or persons applying to be a firefighter only if the fire protection district: (1) Uses full-time, paid firefighters and volunteer firefighters; (2) Is a volunteer fire department; or (3) Uses part-time, paid firefighters and firefighters who are paid an appearance fee.

(1) Uses full-time, paid firefighters and volunteer firefighters;

(2) Is a volunteer fire department; or

(3) Uses part-time, paid firefighters and firefighters who are paid an appearance fee.

(c) A residency requirement that is enacted under subsection (b) of this section shall not affect the residency or employment status of a firefighter who is employed with the fire protection district at the time the residency requirement is adopted.

(d) For the purpose of hiring, a fire protection district may give preference to a person applying to be a firefighter who is a resident of the state or a county adjacent to the county in which the fire protection district is located.

(e) This section does not affect a fire protection district's policies concerning: (1) The use of a vehicle owned by the fire protection district by a firefighter who is not on duty; or (2) Firefighters who, based on their assignment, are required to respond to an emergency or call out within a specific time period.

(1) The use of a vehicle owned by the fire protection district by a firefighter who is not on duty; or

(2) Firefighters who, based on their assignment, are required to respond to an emergency or call out within a specific time period.