§36-21-160. Termination for loss of work during emergency response prohibited.

(a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) EMERGENCY. Going to, attending to, or coming from any of the following:

a. A fire call.

b. A hazardous or toxic materials spill and cleanup.

c. Any other situation to which a volunteer fire department has been dispatched.

d. An actual medical emergency to prevent the imminent loss of life.

(2) EMPLOYER. Any individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, or any person or group of persons acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to any employee.

(3) VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY WORKER. An individual who does not receive monetary compensation for his or her service as a volunteer firefighter, emergency medical technician, rescue squad member, volunteer deputy, or a ham radio operator conducting storm spotter operations for an emergency management association.

(b) No employer may terminate an employee who is a member of a volunteer fire department and who, in the line of emergency duty as a volunteer firefighter, responds to an emergency call prior to the time the employee is due to report to work and which emergency results in a loss of time from employment. Any time lost from employment as provided in this section may be charged against the regular compensation of the employee. Prior to missing work, the employee shall attempt to contact his or her employer to notify the employer that the employee has been dispatched to an emergency. At the request of the employer, an employee losing time as provided herein shall supply the employer with a statement from the chief of the volunteer fire department stating that the employee responded to an emergency call and the time thereof.

(c) No employer may terminate an employee who is a member of an emergency medical service and who, in the line of emergency duty as an emergency medical service member, responds to an emergency call prior to the time the employee is due to report to work and which emergency results in a loss of time from employment. Any time lost from employment as provided in this section may be charged against the regular compensation of the employee. At the request of the employer, an employee losing time as provided herein shall supply the employer with a statement from the fire department or emergency medical services stating that the employee responded to an emergency call and the time thereof.

(d) Any employer who willfully and knowingly violates this section shall be required to reinstate the employee to the employee's former position and shall be required to pay such employee all lost wages and benefits for the period between termination and reinstatement.

(e) Any action to enforce this section shall be commenced within a period of one year after the date of violation and such action shall be commenced in the circuit court of the county in which the place of employment is located.

(f) Nothing in this section shall prohibit an employer from terminating an employee covered in this section for lawful reasons other than responding to an emergency call that results in loss of time from employment.

(Act 2006-428, p. 1058, §§1, 2.)