GOV § 19886

As used in this article the term “firefighter of the state” or “firefighter” shall be deemed to include a member of a fire department or fire service of the state, including the University of California, whether these members are volunteer, partly paid, or fully paid, excepting those whose principal duties are clerical, such as stenographers, telephone operators and other workers not engaged in fire-suppression or rescue operations or the protection or preservation of life or property. These firefighters shall be regularly employed, or in the case of a volunteer, shall be regularly enrolled as such.