§ 31.01 FIREFIGHTER QUALIFICATIONS.
   (A)   Prior to being offered conditional employment as a firefighter, each applicant must meet the following requirements. An applicant must:
      (1)   By the date of posted application closing, be not less than 18 years of age; a copy of the applicant’s birth certificate, issued by the state and signed by the Registrar of the state in which the applicant was born, must accompany and be made a part of the application;
      (2)   Be a high school graduate or must have obtained a general education development (GED) diploma; a copy of the diploma or report certified by the proper school authority must accompany and be made a part of the application;
      (3)   Be an orderly, law abiding citizen and a person of sobriety and integrity;
      (4)   Be of sound mind and body;
      (5)   Become a qualified voter of the commonwealth within six months of date of employment;
      (6)   As part of the employment screening process, be able to withstand a thorough personal background investigation prior to a conditional offer of employment;
      (7)   Provide a truthful statement certifying he or she has not used illicit drugs;
      (8)   Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and provide a copy;
      (9)   If a discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States, present with his or her application, official documentation of discharge or DD-214, showing reason for discharge. An applicant must have received an honorable discharge; and
      (10)   Possess any other qualifications as may be prescribed by state statutes or ordinances of the county.
   (B)   All applicants shall be examined as to qualifications and fitness to fill the position of firefighter in the following respects:
      (1)   Successfully complete and pass a written examination given by the County Fire Department;
      (2)   Successfully complete and pass a physical ability examination given by the County Fire Department:
      (3)   Successfully complete and pass an oral interview panel;
      (4)   After a conditional offer of employment, successfully complete a thorough physical examination as required prior to probationary appointment provided he or she satisfactorily passes all other performance requirements;
      (5)   All applicants must complete and pass the Commonwealth Fire Commission’s candidate physical ability test (CPAT) and maintain that level of fitness. Applicants who are currently employed as a full-time firefighter within the state of Kentucky may receive a waiver for CPAT certification;
      (6)   Acquire and maintain commonwealth emergency medical technician certification within one year of employment;
      (7)   Acquire and maintain hazardous material technician certification within one year of employment;
      (8)   Acquire and maintain Firefighter I certification within two years of employment; and
      (9)   Acquire and maintain Firefighter II certification within three years of employment.
   (C)   As a pre-condition to employment and a condition to continued employment, an applicant must execute a waiver to submit to random testing for illicit drugs. This waiver shall be in force as long as employed by the County Fire Department.
(Ord. 10-2017, passed 12-14-2017; Ord. 13-2021, passed 11-19-2021; Ord. 12-2023, passed 10-26-2023)