§ 36-8-4-9 — Firefighters; hours of work

(a) Except as provided in subsection (c), a
member of a regularly organized and paid fire department may not be
required to work more than an average of fifty-six (56) hours per week.
However, if on September 1, 1985, a fire department was using
sixty-three (63) hours as the maximum average number of hours a
member could work a week, the department may continue to use that
figure as the standard. A member may not be on duty more than
twenty-four (24) consecutive hours and must be off duty at least
twenty-four (24) consecutive hours out of any forty-eight (48) hour
period. Each member is entitled to an additional twenty-four (24)
consecutive hours off duty in every eight (8) day period.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), in case of emergency, or if the
personnel of the fire department has been reduced below its regular
strength because members are serving in the armed forces of the United
States, the chief of the fire department, the assistant chief, or other
officer in charge may assign a member of the fire department to
continuous duty during the emergency.
(c) A fire department may deviate from the required maximum work
hours described in subsection (a) only if authorized by a collective
bargaining agreement, memorandum of understanding, or other similar
written mutual agreement with an exclusive recognized representative
(as defined in IC 36-8-22-5) of employees of the fire department.
[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation:
19-1-35-1.]
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.53. Amended by
P.L.343-1985, SEC.1; P.L.43-2024, SEC.1.