NRS617.457. Heart diseases as occupational diseases of firefighters, arson investigators and police officers.

      1.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, diseases of the heart of a person who, for 5 years or more, has been employed in a full-time continuous, uninterrupted and salaried occupation as a firefighter, arson investigator or police officer in this State before the date of disablement are conclusively presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of the employment.

      2.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, diseases of the heart, resulting in either temporary or permanent disability or death, are occupational diseases and compensable as such under the provisions of this chapter if caused by extreme overexertion in times of stress or danger and a causal relationship can be shown by competent evidence that the disability or death arose out of and was caused by the performance of duties as a volunteer firefighter by a person entitled to the benefits of chapters 616A to 616D, inclusive, of NRS pursuant to the provisions of NRS 616A.145 and who, for 5 years or more, has served continuously as a volunteer firefighter in this State by continuously maintaining an active status on the roster of a volunteer fire department.

      3.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, each employee who is to be covered for diseases of the heart pursuant to the provisions of this section shall submit to a physical examination, including an examination of the heart, upon employment, upon commencement of coverage and thereafter on an annual basis during his or her employment.

      4.  During the period in which a volunteer firefighter is continuously on active status on the roster of a volunteer fire department, a physical examination for the volunteer firefighter is required:

      (a) Upon employment;

      (b) Upon commencement of coverage; and

      (c) Once every 3 years after the physical examination that is required pursuant to paragraph (b),

Ê until the firefighter reaches the age of 50 years. Each volunteer firefighter who is 50 years of age or older shall submit to a physical examination once every 2 years during his or her employment.

      5.  The employer of the volunteer firefighter is responsible for scheduling the physical examination. The employer shall mail to the volunteer firefighter a written notice of the date, time and place of the physical examination at least 10 days before the date of the physical examination and shall obtain, at the time of mailing, a certificate of mailing issued by the United States Postal Service.

      6.  Failure to submit to a physical examination that is scheduled by his or her employer pursuant to subsection 5 excludes the volunteer firefighter from the benefits of this section.

      7.  The chief of a volunteer fire department may require an applicant to pay for any physical examination required pursuant to this section if the applicant:

      (a) Applies to the department for the first time as a volunteer firefighter; and

      (b) Is 50 years of age or older on the date of his or her application.

      8.  The volunteer fire department shall reimburse an applicant for the cost of a physical examination required pursuant to this section if the applicant:

      (a) Paid for the physical examination in accordance with subsection 7;

      (b) Is declared physically fit to perform the duties required of a firefighter; and

      (c) Becomes a volunteer with the volunteer fire department.

      9.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7, all physical examinations required pursuant to subsections 3 and 4 must be paid for by the employer.

      10.  Failure to correct predisposing conditions which lead to heart disease when so ordered in writing by the examining physician subsequent to a physical examination required pursuant to subsection 3 or 4 excludes the employee from the benefits of this section if the correction is within the ability of the employee.

      11.  A person who is determined to be:

      (a) Partially disabled from an occupational disease pursuant to the provisions of this section; and

      (b) Incapable of performing, with or without remuneration, work as a firefighter, arson investigator or police officer,

Ê may elect to receive the benefits provided under NRS 616C.440 for a permanent total disability.

      12.  Claims filed under this section may be reopened at any time during the life of the claimant for further examination and treatment of the claimant upon certification by a physician of a change of circumstances related to the occupational disease which would warrant an increase or rearrangement of compensation.

      (Added to NRS by 1969, 592; A 1973, 768; 1981, 623, 851; 1983, 459; 1987, 1424; 1989, 1021; 2005, 346; 2009, 547, 749; 2011, 584)