Part 13.
TEXAS COMMISSION ON FIRE PROTECTION
Chapter 421.
STANDARDS FOR CERTIFICATION
37 TAC §§421.1, 421.5, 421.13
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection adopts amendments
to §421.1 and §421.5, and new §421.13, concerning standards
for certification without changes to the text published in the December 10,
1999, issue of the
Texas Register
(24 TexReg
11091).
The justification for these amendments and new section will be that the
elimination of substantial delays in effective dates will improve administration
of commission rule changes. The change concerning courses recognized for higher
levels of certification allows departments to have improved access to the
National Fire Academy by utilizing interactive computer-based training.
The amendment to §421.1 eliminates language requiring delayed effective
dates of commission rule changes except in case of safety or hardship and
adds language allowing the commission to specify later effective dates on
a case by case basis. The amendment to §421.5 allows hours of instruction
in NFA courses used for higher levels of certification to be met by interactive
computer-based courses provided they are supervised by a certified instructor.
The supervision is not required to be continuous, but must be sufficient to
verify completion by the student and understanding of course objectives. New §421.13
adds language to clarify that an individual may renew his certification regardless
of whether he is employed or continues to be employed by a fire department
or local authority as allowed by recent statutory changes.
There were no comments received on the proposed amendments and new section.
The amendments and new section are adopted under Texas Government
Code, §419.008, which provides the commission with authority to propose
rules for the administration of its powers and duties; Texas Government Code, §419.022,
which provides the commission with authority to establish minimum requirements
for fire protection personnel; Texas Government Code, §419.023, which
provides the commission authority to establish a fire fighter advisory committee;
and Texas Government Code, §419.0341, which provides the commission authority
to establish guidelines for certificate renewal for individual certificate
holders.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on February 11, 2000.
TRD-200001064
T.R. Thompson
General Counsel
Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Effective date: March 2, 2000
Proposal publication date: December 10, 1999
For further information, please call: (512) 239-4921
Subchapter A. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR STRUCTURE FIRE PROTECTION PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION
37 TAC §423.13
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection adopts amendments
to §423.13, concerning International Fire Service Accreditation Congress
certification without changes to the text published in the December 10, 1999,
issue of the
Texas Register
(24 TexReg 11092).
The justification for these amendments will be that it allows fire fighters
trained in Texas to document compliance with national professional certification
standards established by IFSAC and will improve the recognition by other states
and jurisdictions of training obtained in Texas. The change will also encourage
volunteer fire fighters to achieve training certifications.
The amendments allow individuals to receive International Fire Service
Accreditation Congress seals for Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II, First Responder
Awareness, and First Responder Operations, all of which are encompassed in
the curriculum for basic structure fire protection personnel certification.
The amendment also allows individuals who take a portion of the curriculum,
including many volunteer fire fighters, to apply for the appropriate IFSAC
seal.
There were no comments received on the proposed amendments.
The amendments are adopted under Texas Government Code, §419.008,
which provides the commission with authority to propose rules for the administration
of its powers and duties; Texas Government Code, §419.022, which provides
the commission with authority to establish minimum training standards for
fire protection personnel positions; and Texas Government Code, §419.032,
which provides the commission with authority to establish standards for employment
as fire protection personnel.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on February 11, 2000.
TRD-200001065
T.R. Thompson
General Counsel
Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Effective date: March 2, 2000
Proposal publication date: December 10, 1999
For further information, please call: (512) 239-4921
37 TAC §423.203, §423.211
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection adopts an amendment
to §423.203 and new §423.211, concerning aircraft rescue fire fighting
personnel certification without changes to the text published in the December
10, 1999, issue of the
Texas Register
(24
TexReg 11093).
The justification for the amendment and new section will be that it allows
fire fighters trained in Texas to document the meeting of national standards
established by IFSAC and will improve recognition by other states and jurisdictions
of training obtained in Texas. The changes also simplify administration of
the certification program for aircraft rescue fire fighting personnel.
The amendment to §423.203 allows a person to qualify for the certification
examination by submitting documentation of accreditation from the International
Fire Service Accreditation Congress. New §423.211 allows persons currently
certified aircraft rescue fire protection personnel to apply for an IFSAC
seal as well as those who complete the applicable testing and training program.
There were no comments received on the proposed amendment and new section.
The amendments and new section are adopted under Texas Government
Code, §419.008, which provides the commission with authority to propose
rules for the administration of its powers and duties; and Texas Government
Code, §419.022, which provides the commission with the authority to establish
minimum training standards for fire protection personnel in advanced or specialized
fire protection personnel positions.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on February 11, 2000.
TRD-200001066
T.R. Thompson
General Counsel
Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Effective date: March 2, 2000
Proposal publication date: December 10, 1999
For further information, please call: (512) 239-4921
Subchapter A. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ARSON INVESTIGATOR CERTIFICATION
37 TAC §431.3
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection proposes an amendment
to §431.3, concerning minimum standards for basic arson investigator
certification without changes to the text published in the December 10, 1999,
issue of the
Texas Register
(24 TexReg 11094).
The justification for this amendment is that it provides standardization
among disciplines for recognition of military training to qualify for the
certification examination.
The amendment adds language to allow individuals to submit military training
for evaluation toward the minimum requirements for the Basic Fire Investigator
Curriculum.
There were no comments received on the proposed amendment.
The amendment is adopted under Texas Government Code, §419.008,
which provides the commission with authority to propose rules for the administration
of its powers and duties; and Texas Government Code, §419.022, which
provides the commission with authority to establish minimum training standards
for fire protection personnel in advanced or specialized fire protection personnel
positions.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on February 11, 2000.
TRD-200001067
T.R. Thompson
General Counsel
Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Effective date: March 2, 2000
Proposal publication date: December 10, 1999
For further information, please call: (512) 239-4921
37 TAC §453.7
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection adopts new §453.7,
concerning international fire service accreditation congress certification
for hazardous materials technicians with changes to the text published in
the December 10, 1999, issue of the
Texas Register
(24 TexReg 11094). The change to §453.7 corrects a typographical
error for First Responder Awareness and First Responder Operations.
The justification for this new section is that it allows fire fighters
trained in Texas to document the meeting of national standards established
by IFSAC.
The new section adds language to allow individuals who are certified by
the commission as hazardous materials technicians to apply for an IFSAC seal;
as well as individuals who have completed the appropriate training and testing.
There were no comments received on the proposed new section.
The new section is adopted under Texas Government Code, §419.008,
which provides the commission with authority to propose rules for the administration
of its powers and duties; and Texas Government Code, §419.022, which
provides the commission with authority to establish minimum educational and
training standards for specialized fire protection personnel positions.
§453.7.International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Certification.
(a)
Individuals holding current commission Hazardous Materials
Technician Certification may be granted International Fire Service Accreditation
Congress (IFSAC) Certification as a Hazardous Materials Technician by making
application to the commission for the IFSAC seal and paying applicable fees.
(b)
Individuals completing a commission approved hazardous
materials technician program; documenting IFSAC accreditation for First Responder
Awareness and First Responder Operations; and passing the applicable state
examination may be granted IFSAC Certification as a Hazardous Materials Technician
by making application to the commission for the IFSAC seal and paying applicable
fees.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on February 11, 2000.
TRD-200001068
T.R. Thompson
General Counsel
Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Effective date: March 2, 2000
Proposal publication date: December 10, 1999
For further information, please call: (512) 239-4921
Chapter 423.
FIRE SUPPRESSION
Subchapter B. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING PERSONNEL
Chapter 431.
FIRE INVESTIGATION
Chapter 453.
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TECHNICIAN
Chapter 463.
APPLICATION CRITERIA