STATUS OF EMPLOYEES IN CERTAIN FIRE DEPARTMENTS

(a) This section applies only to a fire department employee employed by a municipality with a population of 150,000 or more and with a governing body of five or fewer members. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a previously nonclassified fire department employee who serves in a position described by Section 143.003(4)(B), (D), (G), or (J) has the status of a civil service employee and is not required to take a competitive examination to remain in the employee's position if: (1) the employee was appointed to that position on or before May 1, 2005, and was serving in that position on the date described by Subsection (c); and (2) the municipality's governing body by ordinance amends the municipality's existing classification of fire department employees to include the employee's position as provided by Section 143.021. (c) The civil service status of an employee to which Subsection (b) applies is effective on the date that the ordinance amending the municipality's classification system to include the employee's position takes effect. (d) A fire department employee who has civil service status under Subsection (b) may be promoted only: (1) by competitive examination in accordance with the competitive civil service procedures prescribed in this chapter; and (2) within the employee's existing division. (e) A fire department employee who has civil service status under Subsection (b) may not: (1) supervise or evaluate classified civil service personnel assigned to fire suppression or emergency medical operations; or (2) laterally transfer to fire suppression or emergency medical operations. (f) If a fire department employee who has civil service status under Subsection (b) leaves the employee's position for any reason, a person selected to fill that position must be selected in accordance with the competitive civil service procedures prescribed in this chapter.