(a) The governing body of a municipality may recognize an association that submits a petition signed by a majority of the emergency medical services personnel in the municipality, excluding the head of the emergency medical services department and any person who is exempt under Subsection (b), as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all of the covered emergency medical services personnel until recognition of the association is withdrawn by a majority of the covered emergency medical services personnel.
(b) For purposes of Subsection (a), exempt employees are assistant department heads in the rank or classification immediately below that of the department head and any other employees who are designated as exempt or whose job titles are designated as exempt by the mutual agreement of the recognized association and the public employer.