1.  Contribution rate.  Except as provided in subsections 2 and 3, each firefighter, including the chief of a fire department, employed by a participating local district that provides a special retirement benefit under section 18453, subsection 4 or 5, shall contribute to the Participating Local District Retirement Program or have pick-up contributions made by the employer at a rate of 8% of earnable compensation as long as employed as a firefighter.  

2.  Exception.  A participating local district may elect to reduce the rate of contribution set out in subsection 1 to 6.5% of earnable compensation for all fire fighters who continue employment after attaining eligibility for retirement during the remainder of their employment as fire fighters.  

3.  Member contributions to Participating Local District Consolidated Retirement Plan.  The board may establish by rule the rate at which firefighters who participate in the consolidated plan described in chapter 427 contribute to that plan. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.