1.    To become eligible for the benefits provided under this chapter, a city, or one or more townships or fire districts, shall maintain therein for at least eight months before the filing of the certificate required under section 18-04-02 a fire district, fire protection district, or department that:

a.    Has been in actual existence for the period specified in this section; b.    Provides the minimum requirements for class 9 fire protection or better; and

c.    Has been in compliance with the requirements to report fires as set forth in section 18-01-06.

2.    Change in a fire department’s name, or incorporation into a fire district, is deemed a waiver of the eight-month waiting period for filing a certificate of existence under section 18-04-02.