(a)

(1) After January 1, 2004, no person shall be hired as a full-time firefighter by any local government firefighting unit for a period exceeding one (1) year or for a cumulative time exceeding two thousand nine hundred twelve (2,912) compensated hours unless that person is certified as having completed the mandatory training requirements in subsection (c) of this section.

(2) Any state agency or political subdivision that employs a person as a firefighter for a period exceeding one (1) year or for a cumulative time exceeding two thousand nine hundred twelve (2,912) compensated hours who does not meet the requirements of subsection (c) of this section is prohibited from performing the duties of fire suppression, rescue, pump operations, or other fire ground activities as described in § 20-22-802(5).

(3) The Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board may grant an extension to individuals employed within the guidelines as established by the board.

(b) Firefighters serving as full-time employees before January 1, 2004, in a local firefighting unit shall not be required to meet the minimum requirements in subsection (c) of this section.

(c)

(1) The uniform training standards for entry level, full-time firefighters shall consist of satisfactory completion of a training program administered by the Arkansas Fire Training Academy which shall utilize the "National Fire Protection Association 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications".

(2) The academy shall be the certifying agency for fire service personnel.

(3) Any person seeking employment from another state shall submit his or her certification to the academy for review and approval.