# Two Career Lieutenants Killed and Two Career Fire Fighters Injured Following a Flashover at an Assembly Hall Fire—Texas/Training and Experience

​ Training and Experience
The state of Texas requires that prior to being appointed fire suppression duties with a government entity, fire protection personnel must possess:
   * Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders
   * NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations
The Commission also required 18 hours of continuing education for renewal during the certification period.
The minimum requirements set forth by this department for a fire fighter position, included the following:
* United States citizenship
* Age 18-35 at time of hire
* High school diploma or GED, with ability to read and write the English language
* Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Fire Fighter Certification
* Texas Department of State Health Services licensed or certified Emergency Medical Technician
* Texas Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education legal requirements
* Valid Class B Exempt Texas Operators License with a good driving record
* Honorable military discharge (if applicable)
* No felony convictions
* Good moral character, stable employment history, and no history of any conduct that may affect suitability for fire fighter work
* Ability to meet the physical standards of the position.
This fire department does not hold a recruit school for incoming fire fighters, but rather a two week fire department orientation. This orientation included a review of fire department SOPs, rapid intervention team training, and an emergency vehicle operator’s course. Following the orientation, the candidate fire fighter is detailed to the field.
Monthly fire department training is coordinated by an assistant chief. Each company officer is responsible for holding five training sessions each month. The training topics for each month are set by the battalion chief and company officers. The fire department also conducts annual training for all members on rapid-intervention operations. The department’s monthly training included:
   * First full week of month – department-level fire training ​
   * Second full week of month – EMS training
   * Third full week of month – company-level training
   * Fourth full week of month – rescheduled, specialized, and other classes
Note: The department did not have a topic-specific agenda for training. At the time of this investigation, the fire department had received limited training on fire dynamics and fire behavior. Also, the fire department had a long-standing policy of critiquing every structure fire. The crew(s) involved would get feedback from the battalion chief and administrative chiefs. Over the past year, the fire department had developed a new process to complete a white paper report accessible to the entire fire department through the department’s computer system.
Victim #1 had been with this department for approximately 12 years, holding the current rank of a lieutenant. He had completed all the certifications required of the state of Texas and the fire department. Additionally, between 2011 and 2012, he had completed continuing education training on topics such as aerial operations, hose handling and fire streams, truck company operations, and special operation rescues.
Victim #2 had been with this department for approximately 32 years, holding the current rank of a lieutenant. He had completed all the certifications required of the state of Texas and the fire department. Additionally, between 2011 and 2012, he had completed continuing education training on topics such as lost fire fighters and command response, downed fire fighter exercise, SCBA/PPE, hose and fire streams, and ladders.
The injured FF1 had been with this department for approximately 5 years, holding the current rank of a fire fighter. He had completed all the certifications required of the state of Texas and the fire department. Additionally, between 2011 and 2012, he had completed continuing education training on topics such as downed fire fighter exercise, SCBA/PPE, structural collapse equipment review, master streams and blitz fire, and suspended victim rescue techniques. The injured FF2 had been with this department for approximately 11 months, holding the current rank of a probationary fire fighter. He had completed all the certifications required of the state of Texas and the fire department. Additionally, in 2012, he had completed continuing education training on topics such as RIT, SCBA/PPE, RIT bag familiarization, RIT practical, and hose handling and fire streams.
The fire department also had time-in-position requirements for someone to "act" in a higher position. For a fire fighter to act as a driver, an individual must have completed their probationary year. A driver must have been in their position for 6 months prior to act as a company officer. A company officer must be in their position for one year prior to acting as a battalion chief. Additionally, each of these positions had specific training requirements that must be met prior to moving up. Each individual is checked off on the required training and it is documented on a form prior to receiving official clearance to act in the next higher position.