All officers and employees of the state, other than employees employed temporarily for six months or less or those employees considered essential personnel, who are volunteer fire fighters or emergency medical service personnel shall be entitled to a leave of absence from such civil employment for the period of an emergency response without loss of status or efficiency rating, and without loss of pay during such leave of absence. Such leave of absence shall in no way affect the employee’s rights to action, sick leave, bonus, or other employment benefits relating to the employee’s particular employment.