Source: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/August182017/Proposed%20Rules/37.PUBLIC%20SAFETY%20AND%20CORRECTIONS.html
Timestamp: 2018-03-20 02:21:19
Document Index: 620840754

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The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (the commission) proposes amendments to Chapter 423, Fire Suppression, concerning, Subchapter A, Minimum Standards For Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification, §423.1, Minimum Standards for Structure Fire Protection Personnel, §423.3, Minimum Standards for Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification, §423.5, Minimum Standards for Intermediate Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification, §423.7, Minimum Standards for Advanced Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification, §423.9, Minimum Standards for Master Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification, §423.11, Higher Levels of Certification, and §423.13, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Seal; Subchapter B, Minimum Standards for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel, concerning §423.201, Minimum Standards for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel, §423.203, Minimum Standards for Basic Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification, §423.205, Minimum Standards for Intermediate Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification, §423.207, Minimum Standards for Advanced Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification, §423.209, Minimum Standards for Master Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification, and §423.211, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFAC) Seal; and Subchapter C, Minimum Standards For Marine Fire Protection Personnel, §423.301, Minimum Standards for Marine Fire Protection Personnel, §423.303, Minimum Standards for Basic Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification, §423.305, Minimum Standards for Intermediate Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification, §423.307, Minimum Standards for Advanced Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification, and §423.309, Minimum Standards for Master Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
The purpose of the proposed amendments is to update and clarify language for consistency.
Tim Rutland, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five year period the proposed amendments are in effect, there will be no significant fiscal impact to state government or local governments.
Mr. Rutland has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed amendments are in effect, the public benefit from the passage is that the commission will provide clear and consistent rules regarding the minimum qualifications for structure, aircraft and marine certifications. There will be no effect on micro or small businesses or persons required to comply with the amendments as proposed.
Comments regarding the proposed amendments may be submitted, in writing, within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to Tim Rutland, Executive Director, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, P.O. Box 2286, Austin, Texas 78768 or e-mailed to info@tcfp.texas.gov. Comments will be reviewed and discussed at a future commission meeting.
SUBCHAPTER A. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR STRUCTURE FIRE PROTECTION PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION
37 TAC §§423.1, 423.3, 423.5, 423.7, 423.9, 423.11, 423.13
The amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code, Chapter 419, §419.008, which provides the commission the authority to propose rules for the administration of its powers and duties and §419.032 which allows the commission to appoint fire protection personnel.
The proposed amendments implements Texas Government Code, Chapter 419, §419.008 and §419.032.
§423.1.Minimum Standards for Structure Fire Protection Personnel.
(a) Fire protection personnel [of any local government entity,] who are appointed [receive probationary or temporary appointment] to structure fire protection duties[,] must be certified by the commission [Commission] within one year from the date of their appointment [in a structural fire protection personnel position].
[(b) Prior to being appointed to fire suppression duties or certified as fire protection personnel, the Commission must review and approve the applicants fingerprint based criminal history record information obtained from the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The individual or fire department must follow the procedure established by the Department of Public Safety to initiate and complete the electronic fingerprint process. The results will be available to the Commission through the Department of Public Safety's data base. The Commission will follow the criteria established in Title 37 Chapter 403 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) for denying a person certification based on the results of the fingerprint based criminal history record check.]
(b) [(c)] Prior to being appointed to structure fire protection [fire suppression] duties, personnel must:
(1) complete a commission approved [Commission-approved] basic structure fire protection [suppression] program; and [successfully complete a Commission recognized emergency medical course. The individual must]
(2) successfully pass the commission examination [Commission examination pertaining to that curriculum] as required by §423.3 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification); and[.]
(3) successfully complete a commission recognized emergency medical training program. The commission [Commission] recognizes the following emergency medical training:
(A) [(1)] Department of State Health Services Emergency Medical Service Personnel certification training;
(B) [(2)] an American Red Cross Emergency Response course, including the optional lessons and enrichment sections;
(C) [(3)] an American Safety and Health Institute First Responder course;
(D) [(4)] National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification; or
(E) [(5)] medical training deemed equivalent by the commission [Commission].
(c) [(d)] Personnel holding any level of structure fire protection personnel certification must comply with the continuing education requirements specified in Chapter 441 [§441.7] of this title (relating to Continuing Education [for Structure Fire Protection Personnel]).
§423.3.Minimum Standards for Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
[(a)] In order to be [become] certified as Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel, [basic structure fire protection personnel,] an individual must:
(1) possess valid documentation from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress or the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications issued by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service using the 2008 or later edition of the NFPA standard applicable to this discipline and meeting the requirements [as] specified in §439.1[(a)(2)] of this title (relating to Requirements--General) as:
(A) Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II, Hazardous Materials Awareness Level Personnel; and
(B) Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders including the Mission-Specific Competencies for Personal Protective Equipment and Product Control under the current edition; or
(C) NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations prior to the 2008 edition; and
(D) [must] meet the medical requirements outlined in §423.1[(c)] of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Structure Fire Protection Personnel); or
(2) complete a commission approved basic structure fire protection [suppression] program, meet the medical requirements outlined in §423.1[(c)] of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Structure Fire Protection Personnel), and successfully pass the commission examination(s) as specified in Chapter 439 of this title (relating to Examinations for Certification). An approved basic structure fire suppression program shall consist of one or any combination of the following:
(A) completion of a commission approved Basic Fire Suppression Curriculum, as specified in [Chapter 1 of] the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual; or
(B) completion of an out-of-state, and/or military training program deemed equivalent to the commission approved Basic Fire Suppression Curriculum; or
(C) documentation of the receipt of a Fire Fighter II certificate, an advanced certificate, or confirmation of training [records] from the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas[,] that is deemed equivalent to a commission approved Basic Fire Suppression Curriculum.
[(b) A basic fire suppression program may be submitted to the commission for approval by another jurisdiction as required in Texas Government Code, Chapter 419, §419.032(d), Appointment of Fire Protection Personnel. These programs include out-of-state and military programs, and shall be deemed equivalent by the commission if the subjects taught, subject content, and total hours of training meet or exceed those contained in Chapter 1 of the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual.]
§423.5.Minimum Standards for Intermediate Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
(a) Applicants for Intermediate Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification] must complete the following requirements:
(1) hold, as a prerequisite, a Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification] as defined in §423.3 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification); and
(A) Option 1--Successfully complete six semester hours of fire science or fire technology from an approved Fire Protection Degree Program and submit documentation as required by the commission [Commission] that the courses comply with subsections (b) and (c) of this section; or
(C) Option 3--Completion of coursework from either the A-List or the B-List courses in combination with college courses in fire science or fire protection. Acceptable combinations of courses are three semester hours meeting the requirements of Option 1, with either one A-List course or four B-List courses (See the exception outlined in subsection (c) of this section).
(b) Non-traditional credit awarded at the college level, such as credit for experience or credit by examination obtained from attending any school in the commission's [Commission's] Certification Curriculum Manual or for experience in fire service, may not be counted toward this level of certification.
(c) The training required in this section must be in addition to any training used to qualify for any lower level of Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification]. Repeating a course or a course of similar content cannot be used towards this level of certification.
§423.7.Minimum Standards for Advanced Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
(a) Applicants for Advanced Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification must complete the following requirements:
(1) hold as a prerequisite an Intermediate Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification] as defined in §423.5 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Intermediate Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification); and
(2) acquire a minimum of eight years of fire protection experience and complete the training listed in one of the following options:
(C) Option 3--Completion of coursework from either the A-List or the B-List courses in combination with college courses in fire science or fire protection. Acceptable combinations of courses are three semester hours meeting the requirements of Option 1 with either one A-List course or four B-List courses (See the exception outlined in subsection (c) of this section).
§423.9.Minimum Standards for Master Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
(a) Applicants for Master Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification] must complete the following requirements:
(1) hold as a prerequisite an Advanced Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification] as defined in §423.7 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Advanced Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification); and
(2) acquire a minimum of twelve years of fire protection experience, and 60 college semester hours or an associate degree, which includes at least 18 college semester hours in fire science subjects.
(b) College level courses from both the upper and lower division may be used to satisfy the education requirement for Master Structure Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
§423.11.Higher Levels of Certification.
(a) An individual may receive higher levels of certification in structure [structural] fire protection while being assigned to another discipline, provided [that] all requirements for the higher level or levels of certification are met.
(b) Repetitive training cannot be used toward higher levels of certification.
§423.13.International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Seal.
(a) Individuals completing a commission approved basic structure fire protection [fire suppression] program, meeting any other NFPA requirement, and passing the applicable commission examination(s) [based on the basic fire suppression curriculum, ] may be granted IFSAC seal(s) for Hazardous Materials Awareness Level Personnel, Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders (including the Mission-Specific Competencies for Personal Protective Equipment and Product Control), Fire Fighter I, and/or Fire Fighter II by making application to the commission for the IFSAC seal(s) and paying applicable fees, provided they meet the following provisions:
(1) To receive the IFSAC Hazardous Materials Awareness Level Personnel seal, the individual must:
(A) complete the Hazardous Materials Awareness section of a commission approved course; and
(B) pass the Hazardous Materials Awareness section of a commission examination.
(2) To receive the IFSAC Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders seal (including the Mission-Specific Competencies for Personal Protective Equipment and Product Control) the individual must:
(A) complete the Hazardous Materials Operation section of a commission approved course; and
(B) document possession of an IFSAC Hazardous Materials Awareness Level Personnel seal; and
(C) pass the Hazardous Materials Operations section of a commission examination.
(3) To receive the IFSAC Fire Fighter I seal, the individual must:
(A) complete a commission approved Fire Fighter I course; and
(B) provide medical documentation as outlined in subsection (c) of this section; and
(C) document possession of an IFSAC Hazardous Materials Awareness Level Personnel seal; and
(D) document possession of an IFSAC Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders seal; and
(E) pass the Fire Fighter I section of a commission examination.
(4) To receive the IFSAC Fire Fighter II seal, the individual must:
(A) complete a commission approved Fire Fighter II course; and
(B) document possession of an IFSAC Fire Fighter I seal; and
(C) pass the Fire Fighter II section of a commission examination.
(b) In order to qualify for a Fire Fighter I seal, [meet the medical requirements of NFPA 1001] the individual must document successful completion of an emergency medical training course or program that includes those subject areas required by NFPA 1001. [The commission recognizes the following emergency medical training:]
[(1) The Texas Department of State Health Services Emergency Medical Service Personnel certification training;]
[(2) American Red Cross Response course (including optional lessons and enrichment sections);]
[(3) American Safety and Health Institute First Responder course;]
[(4) National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification; or]
[(5) medical training deemed equivalent by the commission.]
(c) In order to qualify for an IFSAC seal, an individual must submit the application for the seal prior to the expiration of the examination.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 7, 2017.
TRD-201702965
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 17, 2017
For further information, please call: (512) 936-3812
SUBCHAPTER B. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING PERSONNEL
37 TAC §§423.201, 423.203, 423.205, 423.207, 423.209, 423.211
§423.201.Minimum Standards for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel.
(a) Aircraft rescue fire fighting personnel are employees of a local governmental entity who are appointed to aircraft rescue fire fighting [firefighting] duties. These duties may include fighting aircraft fires at airports, standing by for potential crash landings, and performing aircraft rescue and fire fighting duties.
(b) Personnel appointed to aircraft rescue fire fighting duties [as Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel] must be certified [to at least the basic level] by the commission [Commission] within one year from the date of their appointment [employment in an Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel position].
(c) Prior to being appointed to aircraft rescue fire fighting [suppression] duties, all personnel must:
(1) successfully complete a commission approved [Commission-approved] basic structure fire protection program [suppression course] and pass the commission's [Commission's] examination [pertaining to that curriculum]; and
(2) successfully complete a commission approved [Commission-approved] basic aircraft rescue fire fighting program [protection course] and pass the commission's [Commission's] examination [pertaining to that curriculum].
(d) "Stand by" means the act of responding to a designated position in the movement area on the airfield at which initial response fire and rescue units will await the arrival of an aircraft experiencing an announced emergency.
(e) "Movement area" is comprised of all runways, taxiways, and other areas of the airport which are used for taxiing or hover taxiing, take-off, and landing of aircraft, exclusive of loading ramps and aircraft parking areas.
(f) Personnel holding any level of aircraft rescue fire fighting personnel certification shall be required to comply with the continuing education specified in Chapter 441 [§441.9 ] of this title (relating to Continuing Education [for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel]).
(g) Aircraft rescue fire fighting personnel that perform structure fire protection [fighting] duties must be certified, as a minimum, as basic structure [structural ] fire protection personnel.
§423.203.Minimum Standards for Basic Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification.
In order to be certified as [obtain a] Basic Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel, an [Certification the] individual must:
(1) hold a Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification]; and
(2) possess valid documentation as an Airport Fire Fighter from either:
(A) the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress; or
(B) the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications issued by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service using the 2010 or later edition of the NFPA standard applicable to this discipline and meeting the requirements [as] specified in §439.1[(a)(2)] of this title (relating to Requirements--General); or
(3) complete a commission approved aircraft rescue fire fighting [suppression training] program and successfully pass the commission examination as specified in Chapter 439 of this title (relating to Examinations for Certification). An approved aircraft rescue fire fighting [suppression training] program shall consist of one of the following:
(A) a commission approved Basic Aircraft Rescue Fire Suppression Curriculum as specified in [Chapter 2 of] the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual; or
(B) an out-of-state, and/or military training program that has been submitted to the commission for evaluation and found to be equivalent to or exceeds the commission approved Basic Aircraft Rescue Fire Suppression Curriculum.
§423.205.Minimum Standards for Intermediate Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification.
(a) Applicants for Intermediate Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel certification [Certification] must complete the following requirements:
(1) hold as a prerequisite a Basic Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel certification [Certification] as defined in §423.203 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Basic Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification); and
(c) The training required in this section must be in addition to any training used to qualify for any lower level of Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting certification [Certification]. Repeating a course or a course of similar content cannot be used towards this level of certification.
§423.207.Minimum Standards for Advanced Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification.
(a) Applicants for Advanced Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel certification must complete the following requirements:
(1) hold as a prerequisite an Intermediate Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel certification [Certification ] as defined in §423.205 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Intermediate Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification); and
(c) The training required in this section must be in addition to any training used to qualify for any lower level of Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel certification [Certification ]. Repeating a course or a course of similar content cannot be used towards this level of certification.
§423.209.Minimum Standards for Master Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification.
(a) Applicants for Master Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel certification [Certification] must complete the following requirements:
(1) hold, as a prerequisite, an Advanced Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel certification [Certification] as defined in §423.207 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Advanced Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification); and
(2) acquire a minimum of twelve years of fire protection experience, and 60 college semester hours or an associate's degree, which includes at least 18 college semester hours in fire science subjects.
(b) College level courses from both the upper and lower division may be used to satisfy the education requirement for Master Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel Certification.
§423.211.International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Seal.
Individuals completing a commission approved basic aircraft rescue fire fighting [suppression] program, documenting an IFSAC seal for Fire Fighter II, and passing the applicable commission [state] examination may be granted an IFSAC seal as an Airport Fire Fighter by making application to the commission for the IFSAC seal and paying applicable fees. In order to qualify for an IFSAC seal, an individual must submit the application for the seal prior to the expiration of the examination.
TRD-201702966
SUBCHAPTER C. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR MARINE FIRE PROTECTION PERSONNEL
37 TAC §§423.301, 423.303, 423.305, 423.307, 423.309
§423.301.Minimum Standards for Marine Fire Protection Personnel.
(a) Marine fire protection personnel are employees of a local governmental entity who work aboard a fire boat with a minimum pumping capacity of 2,000 gallons per minute, and fight fires that occur on or adjacent to a waterway, waterfront, channel, or turning basin.
(b) Fire protection personnel [of any local government entity, who are] appointed to marine fire protection duties[,] must be certified by the commission [Commission] within one year from the date of their appointment [in a marine fire protection personnel position].
(c) Prior to being appointed to marine fire protection [suppression] duties, all personnel must:
(2) successfully complete a commission approved [Commission-approved] basic marine fire protection program [suppression course] and pass the commission's [Commission's ] examination [pertaining to that curriculum].
(d) Personnel holding any level of Marine Fire Protection Personnel certification shall be required to comply with the continuing education specified in Chapter 441 [ §441.11] of this title (relating to Continuing Education [for Marine Fire Protection Personnel]).
§423.303.Minimum Standards for Basic Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
In order to be certified as Basic [obtain as basic] Marine Fire Protection Personnel an [Certification the] individual must:
(1) hold a Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification; and [ Certification;]
(2) complete a commission approved marine fire protection program and successfully pass the commission examination as specified in Chapter 439 of this title (relating to Examinations for Certification). An approved marine fire protection program shall consist [complete a training program specific to marine fire protection consisting] of one of the following:
(A) [complete] the commission approved [Commission-approved] Basic Marine Fire Protection Curriculum as specified in Chapter 3[,] of the commission's [Commission's] Certification Curriculum Manual; or[.]
(B) An out-of-state, and/or military training program that has been submitted to the commission [Commission] for evaluation and found to be equivalent to or exceed the commission approved [Commission-approved] Basic Marine Fire Protection Curriculum.
[(3) successfully pass the Commission examination as specified in Chapter 439 of this title (relating to Examinations for Certification) prior to assignment.]
§423.305.Minimum Standards for Intermediate Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
(a) Applicants for Intermediate Marine Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification] must complete the following requirements:
(1) hold, as a prerequisite, a Basic Marine Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification] as defined in §423.303 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Basic Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification); and
(b) Non-traditional credit awarded at the college level, such as credit for experience or credit by examination obtained from attending any school in the commission's [Commission's] Certification Curriculum Manual or for experience in fire service, may not be counted towards this level of certification.
(c) The training required in this section must be in addition to any training used to qualify for any lower level of Marine Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification]. Repeating a course, or a course of similar content, cannot be used towards this level of certification.
§423.307.Minimum Standards for Advanced Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
(a) Applicants for Advanced Marine Fire Protection Personnel certification must complete the following requirements:
(1) hold as a prerequisite an Intermediate Marine Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification] as defined in §423.305 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Intermediate Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification); and
(b) Non-traditional credit awarded at the college level, such as credit for experience or credit by examination obtained from attending any school in the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual or for experience in the fire service, may not be counted towards this level of certification.
(c) The training required in this section must be in addition to any training used to qualify for any lower level of Marine Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification]. Repeating a course or a course of similar content cannot be used towards this level of certification.
§423.309.Minimum Standards for Master Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
(a) Applicants for Master Marine Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification] must complete the following requirements:
(1) hold, as a prerequisite, an Advanced Marine Fire Protection Personnel certification [Certification] as defined in §423.307 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Advanced Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification); and
(2) acquire a minimum of twelve years of fire protection experience, 60 college semester hours or an associate's degree, which includes at least 18 college semester hours in fire science subjects.
(b) College level courses from both the upper and lower division may be used to satisfy the education requirement for Master Marine Fire Protection Personnel Certification.
TRD-201702967
CHAPTER 433. DRIVER/OPERATOR
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (the commission) proposes amendments to Chapter 433, Driver/Operator, Subchapter A, Minimum Standards For Driver/Operator-Pumper, §433.3, concerning Minimum Standards for Driver/Operator-Pumper Certification; and Subchapter B, Minimum Standards for Driver/Operator-Aerial Apparatus, §433.201, concerning Driver/Operator-Aerial Apparatus Certification, and §433.203, concerning Minimum Standards for Driver/Operator-Aerial Apparatus Certification.
The purpose of the proposed amendments is to extend the end date for the initial certification period to one full year from the effective date of the new rule.
Mr. Rutland has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed amendments are in effect, the public benefit from the passage is that individuals seeking to obtain this certification will have one full year from the effective date of the new rule to do so.
There will be no effect on micro or small businesses or persons required to comply with the amendments as proposed.
SUBCHAPTER A. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR DRIVER/OPERATOR-PUMPER
37 TAC §433.3
The amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code, Chapter 419, §419.008, which provides the commission the authority to propose rules for the administration of its powers and duties and §419.032, which allows the commission to appoint fire protection personnel.
The proposed amendments implement Texas Government Code, Chapter 419, §419.008 and §419.032.
§433.3.Minimum Standards for Driver/Operator-Pumper Certification.
(a) In order to obtain Driver/Operator-Pumper certification, the individual must:
(1) hold certification as Structural Fire Protection Personnel, Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel, or Marine Fire Protection Personnel; and
(2) possess valid documentation as a Driver/Operator-Pumper from either:
(B) the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications issued by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service using the 2009 or later edition of the NFPA standard applicable to this discipline and meeting the requirements as specified in §439.1 [§439.1(a)(2)] of this title (relating to Requirements-General); or
(3) complete a commission approved Driver/Operator-Pumper Curriculum and successfully pass the commission examination as specified in Chapter 439 of this title (relating to Examinations for Certification). An approved driver/operator-pumper program must consist of one of the following:
(A) complete a commission approved Driver/Operator-Pumper Curriculum as specified in Chapter 7 of the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual;
(B) complete an out-of-state training program that has been submitted to the commission for evaluation and found to be equivalent to or exceeds the commission approved Driver/Operator-Pumper Curriculum; or
(C) complete a military training program that has been submitted to the commission for evaluation and found to be equivalent to or exceeds the commission approved Driver/Operator-Pumper Curriculum.
(b) Out-of-state or military training programs, which are submitted to the commission for the purpose of determining equivalency, will be considered equivalent if all competencies set forth in Chapter 7 (pertaining to Driver/Operator-Pumper) of the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual are met.
TRD-201702968
SUBCHAPTER B. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR DRIVER/OPERATOR-AERIAL APPARATUS
37 TAC §433.201, §433.203
The amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code, Chapter 419, §419.008, which provides the commission the authority to propose rules for the administration of its powers and duties, and §419.032, which allows the commission to appoint fire protection personnel.
§433.201.Driver/Operator-Aerial Apparatus Certification.
(a) A Driver/Operator-Aerial Apparatus is defined as an individual who operates an aerial apparatus safely and in accordance with all state and local laws; safely and correctly maneuvers, positions, stabilizes, and operates an aerial apparatus and device; and effectively deploys and operates an elevated master stream from a water source. Other responsibilities include routine apparatus testing, maintenance, inspections, and servicing functions.
(b) Individuals holding Driver/Operator-Pumper certification are eligible to take the commission examination for Driver Operator-Aerial Apparatus upon documentation to the commission that the individual has completed Driver Operator-Aerial Apparatus training that meets the minimum requirements of NFPA 1002 [the National Fire Protection Association Standard 1002] or provide documentation of proficiency in the operation of an aerial apparatus from a department with an in service aerial apparatus. This section will expire on May 18, 2018 [February 28, 2018].
§433.203.Minimum Standards for Driver/Operator-Aerial Apparatus Certification.
(a) In order to obtain Driver/Operator-Aerial Apparatus certification, the individual must:
(2) possess valid documentation as a Driver/Operator-Aerial Apparatus from either:
(B) the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications issued by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service using the 2014 or later edition of the NFPA standard applicable to this discipline and meeting the requirements as specified in §439.1 [439.1(a)(2)] of this title (relating to Requirements-General); or
(3) complete a commission approved Driver/Operator-Aerial Apparatus training program and successfully pass the commission examination as specified in Chapter 439 of this title (relating to Examinations for Certification). An approved driver/operator-aerial apparatus training program must consist of one of the following:
(A) completion of an in-state Driver/Operator-Aerial Apparatus program meeting the requirements of the applicable NFPA standard and conducted by a commission certified training provider, that was submitted and approved through the commission's training prior approval system; or
(B) completion of an out-of-state training program that has been submitted to the commission for evaluation and found to meet the requirements of the applicable NFPA standard; or
(C) completion of a military training program that has been submitted to the commission for evaluation and found to meet the requirements of the applicable NFPA standard.
(b) Out-of-State or military training programs submitted to the commission for the purpose of determining equivalency will be considered equivalent if the training addresses all job performance requirements of the applicable NFPA standard.
TRD-201702969