37 Tex. Admin. Code § 421.3 - Minimum Standards Set by the Commission
(a)
General statement. It shall be clearly understood that the specified minimum
standards described in this section are designated as a minimum program.
Employing entities are encouraged to exceed the minimum program wherever
possible. Continuous in-service training beyond the minimum standards for fire
protection personnel is strongly recommended. Nothing in these regulations
shall limit or be construed as limiting the powers of the Civil Service
Commission, or the employing entity, to enact rules and regulations which
establish a higher standard of training than the minimum specified, or which
provides for the termination of the services of unsatisfactory employees during
or upon completion of the prescribed probationary period.
(b) Functional position descriptions.
(1) Structural Fire Protection personnel. The
following general position description for structural fire protection personnel
serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding the qualifications,
competencies, and tasks required of the fire fighter operating in the State of
Texas. It is ultimately the responsibility of an employer to define specific
job descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A)
Qualifications. Successfully complete a commission approved course; achieve a
passing score on written and performance certification examinations; must be at
least 18 years of age; generally, the knowledge and skills required show the
need for a high school education or equivalent; ability to communicate
verbally, via telephone and radio equipment; ability to lift, carry, drag, and
balance weight equivalent to the average human weight; ability to interpret in
English, written and oral instructions; ability to work effectively in high
stress situations; ability to work effectively in an environment with loud
noises and flashing lights; ability to function through an entire work shift;
ability to calculate weight and volume ratios; ability to read and understand
English language manuals including chemical, medical and technical terms, and
road maps; ability to accurately discern street signs and address numbers;
ability to document in English, all relevant information in prescribed format
in light of legal ramifications of such; ability to converse in English with
coworkers and other emergency response personnel. Good manual dexterity with
ability to perform all tasks related to the protection of life and property;
ability to bend, stoop, and crawl on uneven surfaces; ability to withstand
varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture; and
ability to work in low or no light, confined spaces, elevated heights and other
dangerous environments.
(B)
Competency. A basic fire fighter must demonstrate competency handling
emergencies utilizing equipment and skills in accordance with the objectives in
Chapter 1 of the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual.
(2) Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting
personnel. The following general position description for aircraft rescue fire
fighting personnel serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding the
qualifications, competencies, and tasks required of aircraft rescue fire
fighting personnel operating in the State of Texas. It is ultimately the
responsibility of an employer to define specific job descriptions within each
jurisdiction.
(A) Qualifications. In addition
to the qualifications for basic structural fire protection personnel:
familiarity with geographic and physical components of an airport; ability to
use and understand communication equipment, terminology, and procedures
utilized by airports; ability and knowledge in the application of fire
suppression agents; and ability to effectively perform fire suppression and
rescue operations.
(B) Competency.
Basic fire fighting and rescue personnel must demonstrate competency handling
emergencies utilizing equipment and skills in accordance with the objectives in
Chapter 2 of the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual.
(3) Marine Fire Protection
personnel. The following general position description for marine fire
protection personnel serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding
the qualifications, competencies, and tasks required of the marine fire fighter
operating in the State of Texas. It is ultimately the responsibility of an
employer to define specific job descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A) Qualifications. In addition to the
qualifications for basic structural fire protection personnel: familiarity with
geographic and physical components of a navigable waterway; ability to use and
understand communication equipment, terminology, and procedures used by the
maritime industry; and knowledge in the operation of fire fighting
vessels.
(B) Competency. A marine
fire fighter must demonstrate competency in handling emergencies utilizing
equipment and skills in accordance with the objectives in Chapter 3 of the
commission's Certification Curriculum Manual.
(4) Fire Inspection personnel. The following
general position description for fire inspection personnel serves as a guide
for anyone interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies, and
tasks required of the fire inspector operating in the State of Texas. It is
ultimately the responsibility of an employer to define specific job
descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A)
Qualifications. Successfully complete a commission approved course; achieve a
passing score on certification examinations; must be at least 18 years of age;
generally, the knowledge and skills required to show the need for a high school
education or equivalent; ability to communicate verbally, via telephone and
radio equipment; ability to lift, carry, and balance weight equivalent to
weight of common tools and equipment necessary for conducting an inspection;
ability to interpret written and oral instructions; ability to work effectively
with the public; ability to work effectively in an environment with potentially
loud noises; ability to function through an entire work shift; ability to
calculate area, weight and volume ratios; ability to read and understand
English language manuals including chemical, construction and technical terms,
building plans and road maps; ability to accurately discern street signs and
address numbers; ability to document, in writing, all relevant information in a
prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such; ability to converse
in English with coworkers and other personnel. Demonstrate knowledge of
characteristics and behavior of fire, and fire prevention principles. Good
manual dexterity with the ability to perform all tasks related to the
inspection of structures and property; ability to bend, stoop, and crawl on
uneven surfaces; ability to climb ladders; ability to withstand varied
environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture; and the
ability to work in low light, confined spaces, elevated heights, and other
dangerous environments.
(B)
Competency. A fire inspector must demonstrate competency in conducting
inspections utilizing equipment and skills in accordance with the objectives in
Chapter 4 of the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual.
(5) Fire Investigator personnel.
The following general position description for fire investigator personnel
serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding the qualifications,
competencies, and tasks required of the fire investigator operating in the
State of Texas. It is ultimately the responsibility of an employer to define
specific job descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A) Qualifications. Successfully complete a
commission approved course; achieve a passing score on certification
examinations; be at least 18 years of age; generally, the knowledge and skills
required to show the need for a high school education or equivalent; ability to
communicate verbally, via telephone and radio equipment; ability to lift,
carry, and balance weight equivalent to weight of common tools and equipment
necessary for conducting an investigation; ability to interpret written and
oral instructions; ability to work effectively with the public; ability to work
effectively in a hazardous environment; ability to function through an entire
work shift; ability to calculate area, weight and volume ratios; ability to
read and understand English language manuals including chemical, legal and
technical terms, building plans and road maps; ability to accurately discern
street signs and address numbers; ability to document, in writing, all relevant
information in a prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such;
ability to converse in English with coworkers and other personnel. Good manual
dexterity with the ability to perform all tasks related to fire investigation;
ability to bend, stoop, and walk on uneven surfaces; ability to climb ladders;
ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold
and moisture; and the ability to work in low light, confined spaces, elevated
heights, and other potentially dangerous environments.
(B) Competency. A fire investigator or arson
investigator must demonstrate competency in determining fire cause and origin
utilizing equipment and skills in accordance with the objectives in Chapter 5
of the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual.
(6) Hazardous Materials Technician personnel.
The following general position description for hazardous materials personnel
serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding the qualifications,
competencies, and tasks required of the hazardous materials technician
operating in the State of Texas. It is ultimately the responsibility of an
employer to define specific job descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A) Qualifications. In addition to the
qualifications for basic structural fire protection personnel: successfully
complete a commission approved course; achieving a passing score on the
certification examination; the ability to analyze a hazardous materials
incident, plan a response, implement the planned response, evaluate the
progress of the planned response, and terminate the incident.
(B) Competency. A hazardous materials
technician must demonstrate competency handling emergencies resulting from
releases or potential releases of hazardous materials, using specialized
chemical protective clothing and control equipment in accordance with the
objectives in Chapter 6 of the commission's Certification Curriculum
Manual.
(7) Hazardous
Materials Incident Commander personnel. The following general position
description for Hazardous Materials Incident Commander serves as a guide for
anyone interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies, and tasks
required of the Hazardous Materials Incident Commander operating in the State
of Texas. It is ultimately the responsibility of an employer to define specific
job descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A)
Qualifications. In addition to the qualifications for awareness and operations
level personnel, the Hazardous Materials Incident Commander is an individual
who has met all the job performance requirements of Hazardous Materials
Incident Commander as defined in Chapter 8 of NFPA 472, Competence of
Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents/Weapons of Mass Destruction. The
individual should demonstrate knowledge in the policies, plans, and procedures
regarding hazardous materials response as adopted by the local jurisdiction;
and all components of the incident command system and their proper
utilization.
(B) Competency. In
addition to the competencies of awareness and operations level personnel, a
Hazardous Materials Incident Commander must demonstrate competency in such
areas as: analyzing an incident via the collection of information and an
estimation of potential outcomes; planning appropriate response operations;
implementing a planned response; evaluating the progress of a planned response
and revising as necessary; terminating an incident; conducting a post-incident
critique; and reporting and documenting an incident in a manner consistent with
local, state, and federal requirements.
(8) Driver/Operator-Pumper personnel. The
following general position description for driver/operator-pumper personnel
serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding the qualifications,
competencies, and tasks required of the driver/operator-pumper of a fire
department pumper operating in the State of Texas. It is ultimately the
responsibility of an employer to define specific job descriptions within each
jurisdiction.
(A) Qualifications. In addition
to the qualifications for basic structural fire protection personnel: ability
to perform specified routine test, inspection, and maintenance functions;
ability to perform practical driving exercises; ascertain the expected fire
flow; ability to position a fire department pumper to operate at a fire
hydrant; ability to produce effective streams; and supply sprinkler and
standpipe systems.
(B) Competency.
A driver/operator-pumper must demonstrate competency operating a fire
department pumper in accordance with the objectives in Chapter 7 of the
commission's Certification Curriculum Manual.
(9) Fire Officer I personnel. The following
general position description for Fire Officer I personnel serves as a guide for
anyone interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies, and tasks
required of the Fire Officer I operating in the State of Texas. It is
ultimately the responsibility of an employer to define specific job
descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A)
Qualifications. In addition to the qualifications for basic structural fire
protection and Fire Instructor I personnel: the ability to supervise personnel,
and assign tasks at emergency operations; the ability to direct personnel
during training activities; the ability to recommend action for member-related
problems; the ability to coordinate assigned tasks and projects, and deal with
inquiries and concerns from members of the community; the ability to implement
policies; the ability to perform routine administrative functions, perform
preliminary fire investigation, secure an incident scene and preserve evidence;
the ability to develop pre-incident plans, supervise emergency operations, and
develop and implement action plans; the ability to deploy assigned resources to
ensure a safe work environment for personnel, conduct initial accident
investigation, and document an incident.
(B) Competency. A Fire Officer I must
demonstrate competency in handling emergencies and supervising personnel
utilizing skills in accordance with the objectives in Chapter 9 of the
commission's Certification Curriculum Manual.
(10) Fire Officer II personnel. The following
general position description for Fire Officer II personnel serves as a guide
for anyone interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies, and
tasks required of the Fire Officer II operating in the State of Texas. It is
ultimately the responsibility of an employer to define specific job
descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A)
Qualifications. In addition to the qualifications for Fire Officer I and Fire
Instructor I personnel: the ability to motivate members for maximum job
performance; the ability to evaluate job performance; the ability to deliver
life safety and fire prevention education programs; the ability to prepare
budget requests, news releases, and policy changes; the ability to conduct
pre-incident planning, fire inspections, and fire investigations; the ability
to supervise multi-unit emergency operations, identify unsafe work environments
or behaviors, review injury, accident, and exposure reports.
(B) Competency. A Fire Officer II must
demonstrate competency in supervising personnel and coordinating multi-unit
emergency operations utilizing skills in accordance with the objectives in
Chapter 9 of the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual.
(11) Fire Officer III personnel.
The following general position description for Fire Officer III personnel
serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding the qualifications,
competencies, and tasks required of the Fire Officer III operating in the State
of Texas. It is ultimately the responsibility of an employer to define specific
job descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A)
Qualifications. A Fire Officer III is a midlevel supervisor who performs both
supervisory and first-line managerial functions. In addition to the
qualifications and competency for Fire Officer II, the Fire Officer III is an
individual who has met all the job performance requirements of Fire Officer III
as defined in Chapter 6 of NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional
Qualifications. Typical duties of an individual at the Fire Officer III level
include: establishing procedures for hiring, assignment, and professional
development of personnel; developing public service/partnership and programs;
preparing budgets and budget management systems; planning for organizational
resource management; evaluating inspection and public safety programs and
plans; managing multi-agency plans and operations; serving as Incident
Commander at expanding emergency incidents for all hazard types; and developing
and managing a departmental safety program.
(B) Competency. A Fire Officer III must
demonstrate competency doing research; analyzing data and using evaluative
techniques; developing proposals; developing, preparing, and implementing
various procedures and programs within an organization; managing personnel
resources; preparing and managing budgets; utilizing techniques to encourage
personnel participation and development; and working in top-level positions
within the incident command system.
(12) Fire Officer IV personnel. The following
general position description for Fire Officer IV personnel serves as a guide
for anyone interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies, and
tasks required of the Fire Officer IV operating in the State of Texas. It is
ultimately the responsibility of an employer to define specific job
descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A)
Qualifications. A Fire Officer IV is an upper level supervisor who performs
both supervisory and managerial functions. In addition to the qualifications
and competency for Fire Officer III, the Fire Officer IV is an individual who
has met all the job performance requirements of Fire Officer IV as defined in
Chapter 7 of NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications.
Typical duties of an individual at the Fire Officer IV level include:
administering job performance requirements; evaluating and making improvements
to department operations; developing long-range plans and fiscal projections;
developing plans for major disasters; serving as Incident Commander at major
incidents for all hazard types; and administering comprehensive risk management
programs.
(B) Competency. A Fire
Officer IV must demonstrate competency in appraising and evaluating
departmental programs to ensure adherence to current laws and best practices;
developing medium and long-range plans for organizations; and assuming a
top-level leadership role in both the organization and community.
(13) Fire Service Instructor I
personnel. The following general position description for Fire Service
Instructor I personnel serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding
the qualifications, competencies, and tasks required of the Fire Service
Instructor I operating in the State of Texas. It is ultimately the
responsibility of an employer to define specific job descriptions within each
jurisdiction.
(A) Qualifications. In addition
to successfully completing a commission approved course and achieving a passing
score on the certification examination: must have the ability to deliver
instructions effectively from a prepared lesson plan; the ability to use
instructional aids and evaluation instruments; the ability to adapt to lesson
plans to the unique requirements of both student and the jurisdictional
authority; the ability to organize the learning environment to its maximum
potential; the ability to meet the record-keeping requirements of the
jurisdictional authority.
(B)
Competency. A Fire Service Instructor I must demonstrate competency in
delivering instruction in an environment organized for efficient learning while
meeting the record-keeping needs of the authority having jurisdiction,
utilizing skills in accordance with the objectives in Chapter 8 of the
commission's Certification Curriculum Manual.
(14) Fire Service Instructor II personnel.
The following general position description for Fire Service Instructor II
personnel serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding the
qualifications, competencies, and tasks required of the Fire Service Instructor
II operating in the State of Texas. It is ultimately the responsibility of an
employer to define specific job descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A) Qualifications. In addition to
successfully completing a commission approved course, achieving a passing score
on the certification examination, and meeting the qualifications for Fire
Service Instructor I: the ability to develop individual lesson plans for a
specific topic, including learning objectives, instructional aids, and
evaluation instruments; the ability to schedule training sessions based on the
overall training plan of the jurisdictional authority; the ability to supervise
and coordinate the activities of other instructors.
(B) Competency. A Fire Service Instructor II
must demonstrate competency in developing individual lesson plans; scheduling
training sessions; and supervising other instructors, utilizing skills in
accordance with the objectives in Chapter 8 of the commission's Certification
Curriculum Manual.
(15)
Fire Service Instructor III personnel. The following general position
description for Fire Service Instructor III personnel serves as a guide for
anyone interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies, and tasks
required of the Fire Service Instructor III operating in the State of Texas. It
is ultimately the responsibility of an employer to define specific job
descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A)
Qualifications. In addition to successfully completing a commission approved
course, achieving a passing score on the certification examination, and meeting
the qualifications for Fire Service Instructor II: the ability to develop
comprehensive training curricula and programs for use by single or multiple
organizations; the ability to conduct organizational needs analysis; and the
ability to develop training goals and implementation strategies.
(B) Competency. A Fire Service Instructor III
must demonstrate competency in developing comprehensive training curricula and
programs; conducting organizational needs analysis; and developing training
goals and implementation strategies, utilizing skills in accordance with the
objectives in Chapter 8 of the commission's Certification Curriculum
Manual.
(16) Incident
Safety Officer personnel. The following general position description for
Incident Safety Officer personnel serves as a guide for anyone interested in
understanding the qualifications, competencies, and tasks required of the
Incident Safety Officer operating in the State of Texas. It is ultimately the
responsibility of an employer to define specific job descriptions within each
jurisdiction.
(A) Qualifications. An Incident
Safety Officer is an individual who has met the requirements of Fire Officer
Level I specified in NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional
Qualifications and Chapter 6 of NFPA 1521, Standard for Fire Department Safety
Officer and has the knowledge, skill, and abilities to manage incident scene
safety. Typical Incident Safety Officer duties include risk and resource
evaluation; hazard identification and communication; action plan reviews;
safety briefings; accident investigation; post incident analysis; and
participation in safety committee activities.
(B) Competency. An Incident Safety Officer
must demonstrate competency in management of incident scene safety through a
working knowledge of the various emergency operations as prescribed by the
local jurisdiction; an understanding of building construction; fire science and
fire behavior; managing an organization's personnel accountability system; and
incident scene rehabilitation methodology.
(17) Basic Wildland Fire Protection
personnel. The following general position description for Basic Wildland Fire
Protection personnel serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding
the qualifications, competencies, and tasks required of the Basic Wildland Fire
Fighter operating in the State of Texas. It is ultimately the responsibility of
an employer to define specific job descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A) Qualifications. A Basic Wildland Fire
Fighter is an individual who has met the requirements of Chapter 5 of NFPA
1051, Standard for Wildland Fire Fighter Professional qualifications, and
should demonstrate knowledge in: wildland fire behavior; fireline safety and
use; limitations of personal protective equipment; fire shelter use; fire
suppression tactics and techniques in wildland settings; and have an
understanding of the fire fighter's role within the local incident management
system.
(B) Competency. A Basic
Wildland Fire Fighter must demonstrate competency in such areas as: maintaining
personal protective equipment and assigned fire suppression tools and
equipment; the ability to quickly prepare for a response when notified;
recognizing hazards and unsafe situations in a wildland fire; securing a fire
line; mopping up a fire area; and patrolling a fire area so as to ensure fire
control.
(18)
Intermediate Wildland Fire Protection personnel. The following general position
description for Intermediate Wildland Fire Protection personnel serves as a
guide for anyone interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies,
and tasks required of the Intermediate Wildland Fire Fighter operating in the
State of Texas. It is ultimately the responsibility of an employer to define
specific job descriptions within each jurisdiction.
(A) Qualifications. In addition to the
qualifications and competency for the Basic Wildland Fire Fighter, the
Intermediate Wildland Fire Fighter is an individual who has met the
requirements of Chapter 6 of NFPA 1051, Standard for Wildland Fire Fighter
Professional qualifications, and should demonstrate knowledge in: basic map
reading; use of a locating device such as a compass; radio procedures as
adopted by the local jurisdiction; and record keeping.
(B) Competency. An Intermediate Wildland Fire
Fighter must demonstrate competency in such areas as: the ability to lead a
team of fire fighters in the performance of assigned tasks while maintaining
the safety of personnel; implementing appropriate fireline construction methods
and other techniques for protection of exposed property; operation of water
delivery equipment; securing an area of suspected fire origin and associated
evidence; and serving as a lookout in a wildland fire.
(19) Plans Examiner personnel. The following
general position description for Plans Examiner personnel serves as a guide for
anyone interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies, and tasks
required of the Plans Examiner operating in the State of Texas.
(A) Qualifications. A Plans Examiner is an
individual who has met the requirements of Plans Examiner specified in NFPA
1030 (1031) Chapter 8, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire
Prevention Program Positions.
(B)
Competency. A Plans Examiner analyzes building construction, hazardous
processes, and architectural drawings or plans to ensure compliance with
building and fire codes. This individual is also charged with reviewing plans
for new construction as well as modifications to existing structures to ensure
that applicable fire and life safety codes are followed.
(20) Fire and Life Safety Educator I
personnel. The following general position description for Fire and Life Safety
Educator I personnel serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding
the qualifications, competencies, and tasks required of the Fire and Life
Safety Educator I, operating in the State of Texas.
(A) Qualifications. A Fire and Life Safety
Educator I is an individual who has met the requirements of Fire and Life
Safety Educator I specified in NFPA 1030 (1035) Chapter 9, Standard for
Professional Qualifications for Fire Prevention Program Positions.
(B) Competency. A Fire and Life Safety
Educator I must demonstrate competency in the ability to coordinate and deliver
existing educational programs and information designed to reduce risks within
the community.
(21) Fire
and Life Safety Educator II personnel. The following general position
description for Fire and Life Safety Educator II personnel serves as a guide
for anyone interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies, and
tasks required of the Fire and Life Safety Educator II operating in the State
of Texas.
(A) Qualifications. A Fire and Life
Safety Educator II is an individual who has met the requirements of Fire and
Life Safety Educator II specified in NFPA 1030 (1035) Chapter 10, Standard for
Professional Qualifications for Fire Prevention Program Positions.
(B) Competency. A Fire and Life Safety
Educator II must demonstrate competency in the ability to prepare educational
programs and information to meet identified needs to reduce risks within the
community.
(22) Fire
Marshal personnel. The following general position description for Fire Marshal
personnel serves as a guide for anyone interested in understanding the
qualifications, competencies, and tasks required of the Fire Marshal operating
in the State of Texas.
(A) Qualifications. A
Fire Marshal is an individual who has met the requirements of Fire Marshal
specified in NFPA 1030 (1037) Chapter 4 & 5, Standard for Professional
Qualifications for Fire Prevention Program Positions.
(B) Competency. A person designated to
provide delivery, management, or administration of fire-protection- and
life-safety-related codes and standards, investigations, community risk
reduction, education, or prevention services for local, county, state,
provincial, federal, tribal, or private sector jurisdictions as adopted or
determined by that entity.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
No prior version found.