The retirement, with continuance of pay for themselves, provision for dependents, and pay during temporary disability, and the encouragement of long service in fire fighting service, of paid firefighters becoming aged or disabled in the service of the state or any of its cities or fire districts, is hereby declared to be a public purpose of joint concern to the state and each of its cities and fire districts in the protection and conservation of property and lives and essential to the maintenance of competent and efficient personnel in fire service.
The provisions of chapter 14, title 72, Idaho Code, are applicable only to those paid firefighters who were employed as paid firefighters prior to October 1, 1980. If any person employed as a paid firefighter prior to October 1, 1980, should leave such employment prior to his establishing eligibility to benefits under any provision of chapter 14, title 72, Idaho Code, except as provided by sections 44-109(6) [44-1812], 72-1445 [72-1444], and 72-1444 [72-1443], Idaho Code, and such firefighter is again employed as a paid firefighter, he shall not be eligible to participate in the retirement system authorized by chapter 14, title 72, Idaho Code, but shall be eligible to participate in the public employee retirement system, as provided in chapter 13, title 59, Idaho Code.