Ind. Code ch. 36-8-10.5

Ind. Code ch. 36-8-10.5
in effect

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-1 Application of chapter

Sec. 1. This chapter applies to: (1) all full-time firefighters hired or rehired after January 1, 1988; and (2) all volunteer firefighters elected or appointed to membership in a volunteer fire department after January 1, 1988. As added by P.L.49-1987, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.1-1999, SEC.84.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-1.5 "Department"

Sec. 1.5. As used in this chapter, "department" refers to the department of homeland security established by IC 10-19-2-1. As added by P.L.238-2025, SEC.97.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-2 "Education board" defined

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "education board" refers to the board of firefighting personnel standards and education. As added by P.L.49-1987, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-3 "Full-time firefighter" defined

Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "full-time firefighter" means a full-time, fully paid firefighter employed by a political subdivision. As added by P.L.49-1987, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-4 "Volunteer fire department" defined

Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "volunteer fire department" has the meaning set forth in IC 36-8-12-2. As added by P.L.49-1987, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.1-1999, SEC.85.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-5 "Volunteer firefighter" defined

Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "volunteer firefighter" has the meaning set forth in IC 36-8-12-2. As added by P.L.49-1987, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-6 Minimum training requirements

Sec. 6. (a) A full-time firefighter must successfully complete the minimum basic training requirements established by this chapter before the firefighter may perform the duties of a full-time firefighter for the political subdivision. (b) A volunteer firefighter must successfully complete the minimum basic training requirements established by this chapter before the firefighter may perform the emergency response duties of a volunteer firefighter. However, after June 30, 2023, emergency response duties do not include interior firefighter operations. (c) A volunteer firefighter who has successfully completed the minimum basic training requirements established by this chapter may be elected or appointed to membership in more than one (1) volunteer fire department. As added by P.L.49-1987, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.50-1998, SEC.2; P.L.1-1999, SEC.86; P.L.90-2017, SEC.1; P.L.170-2022, SEC.40.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-7 Training subject matter

Sec. 7. (a) The education board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 establishing minimum basic training requirements for full-time firefighters and volunteer firefighters, subject to subsection (b) and section 7.5 of this chapter. The requirements must include training in the following areas: (1) Orientation. (2) Personal safety. (3) Forcible entry. (4) Ventilation. (5) Apparatus. (6) Ladders. (7) Self-contained breathing apparatus. (8) Hose loads. (9) Streams. (10) Basic recognition of special hazards. (b) A person who fulfills the certification requirements for: (1) Firefighter I; or (2) Firefighter II; is considered to comply with the requirements established under subsection (a). (c) In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (d), and (f), the minimum basic training requirements for full-time firefighters and volunteer firefighters must include successful completion of a basic or inservice course of education and training on sudden infant death syndrome that is certified by the Indiana emergency medical services commission (created under IC 16-31-2-1) in conjunction with the state health commissioner. (d) In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (c), and (f), the minimum basic training requirements for full-time and volunteer firefighters must include successful completion of an instruction course on vehicle emergency response driving safety. The education board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to operate this course. (e) In addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (c), (d), and (f), the minimum basic training requirements for full-time and volunteer firefighters must include successful completion of a basic or inservice course of education and training in interacting with individuals with autism that is certified by the Indiana emergency medical services commission (created under IC 16-31-2-1). (f) This subsection does not apply to volunteer firefighters. After December 31, 2024, in addition to the requirements of subsections (a), (c), (d), and (e), the minimum basic training requirement for full-time firefighters must include training, which may be completed online or by other means of virtual instruction, that addresses the mental health and wellness of firefighters, including: (1) healthy coping skills to preserve the mental health of firefighters and to manage the stress and trauma related to employment as a firefighter; (2) recognition of: (A) symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder; and (B) signs of suicidal behavior; and (3) information on mental health resources available for firefighters. (g) The education board may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 concerning the adoption of the most current edition of the following National Fire Protection Association standards, subject to amendment by the board: (1) NFPA 472. (2) NFPA 1001. (3) NFPA 1002. (4) NFPA 1003. (5) NFPA 1006. (6) NFPA 1021. (7) NFPA 1031. (8) NFPA 1033. (9) NFPA 1035. (10) NFPA 1041. (11) NFPA 1521. (12) NFPA 1670. As added by P.L.49-1987, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.22-1994, SEC.5; P.L.62-2003, SEC.1; P.L.148-2007, SEC.7; P.L.93-2009, SEC.3; P.L.110-2009, SEC.17; P.L.1-2010, SEC.152; P.L.78-2013, SEC.10; P.L.10-2017, SEC.2; P.L.187-2021, SEC.141; P.L.139-2023, SEC.4; P.L.93-2024, SEC.209.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-7.5 Time to complete training requirements; extensions

Sec. 7.5. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), an individual whose employment by a fire department as a full-time firefighter begins after December 31, 2009, must complete the training for Firefighter I and Firefighter II during the firefighter's first year of employment. The fire department that employs a firefighter shall report to the department when the firefighter has completed the training requirements established by this subsection. (b) The department may grant a firefighter any number of extensions of six (6) months to complete the training required under subsection (a). An extension must be requested by the fire department that employs the firefighter. An extension may be requested for any reason, including the following: (1) The firefighter has been attending training in accordance with section 8 of this chapter in any of the following: (A) Hazardous materials. (B) Paramedic training. (C) Emergency medical technician training. (D) Technical training. (2) The firefighter was unable to complete the training due to economic reasons. (c) The department shall determine whether a firefighter receives an extension under this section. As added by P.L.110-2009, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.187-2021, SEC.142; P.L.238-2025, SEC.98.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-8 Training location and personnel

Sec. 8. (a) The training may be conducted at: (1) a location within the political subdivision employing a full-time firefighter; (2) the headquarters of the volunteer fire department where a volunteer firefighter is seeking membership; or (3) any other facility where the training is offered. (b) The training must be conducted by personnel certified as instructors by the department. As added by P.L.49-1987, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.1-1999, SEC.87; P.L.238-2025, SEC.99.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-9 Certification

Sec. 9. The department shall certify fire personnel who successfully complete the minimum basic training requirements. As added by P.L.49-1987, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.238-2025, SEC.100.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-11 Establishment of best practices to improve safety and health outcomes; review of programs

Sec. 11. (a) The education board must establish best practices to improve safety and health outcomes for full-time firefighters and volunteer firefighters not later than July 1, 2021. (b) The best practices must include: (1) a proactive health and safety risk management system consisting of a joint employer and employee governance structure to oversee a continuous process of identification, evaluation, monitoring and controlling, and reporting of safety and health hazards in the workplace; (2) ways to reduce firefighter risk of exposure to carcinogens; and (3) ways to prevent or reduce the risk of injuries and illness with particular focus on causes of compensable worker's compensation or disability claims. (c) The education board shall: (1) review programs established by political subdivisions and volunteer fire departments implementing best practices under this section; and (2) provide a political subdivision or volunteer fire department with a letter for submission to an insurance company for consideration in a premium or rate discount toward the purchase or procurement of worker's compensation insurance under IC 22-3-2-2 or IC 36-8-12-10 that states that the political subdivision or volunteer fire department has implemented best practices under this section. As added by P.L.72-2020, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.32-2021, SEC.102.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-12 Best practices fund

Sec. 12. (a) The best practices fund is established for the purpose of providing matching grants to political subdivisions and volunteer fire departments to purchase equipment and other gear to implement best practices established under section 11 of this chapter. (b) The fund shall be administered by the department. (c) The fund consists of: (1) appropriations from the general assembly; and (2) amounts deposited from any other public or private source. (d) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund. (e) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public money may be invested. Interest that accrues from these investments shall be deposited in the fund. (f) Money in the fund at the end of the state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund. (g) The department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this section. As added by P.L.72-2020, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.238-2025, SEC.101.

Ind. Code § 36-8-10.5-13 Report

Sec. 13. A fire department shall: (1) require all full-time firefighters to annually complete training described in section 7(f) of this chapter; and (2) submit an annual report to the department of homeland security certifying compliance with this section. As added by P.L.139-2023, SEC.5.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/36Fetched: 10/17/2026