Police, Firefighters, EMS and Rescue Personnel
- Fire protection personnel are employees working for an organized fire department or fire district who have been trained for and have the legal authority and responsibility to engage in the prevention and control of fires.
- Law enforcement personnel are employees who are empowered by State or local ordinance to enforce laws designed to maintain peace and order, protect life and property, and to prevent and detect crimes; who have the power to arrest; and who have undergone training in law enforcement.
- EMS and rescue personnel are employees trained to “rescue” the victims of fires, crimes and accidents. While generally speaking EMS and rescue personnel must be treated, for overtime purposes, the same as any other government employee, some public employers attempt to fit them into the exemptions allowed for firefighters.
Firefighters and police officers must be paid minimum wage and overtime for any hours worked over 53 per week. Time sleeping and eating may be excluded under certain conditions. Hours may be figured on the basis of a “work period” instead of the traditional weekly calculation. Under certain conditions rescue and law enforcement personnel may receive “comp” time rather than overtime pay.