1. (a) The purpose of this chapter is to establish guidelines and criteria on the eligibility of persons with criminal convictions for a certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (the commission) and to establish procedures for suspension, revocation, or denial of a certificate held or applied for by persons with criminal convictions pursuant to Chapter 53 Texas Occupations Code.
2. (b) The duties and responsibilities of persons who hold certifications issued by the commission each involve matters that directly relate to public safety, specifically to the reduction of loss of life and property from fire. Thus conduct, involving the injury to a person or the destruction of property by fire, relates directly to the fitness of the individual to be fire protection personnel. Fire protection personnel and volunteer fire fighters often have access to areas not generally open to the public. The public relies on the honesty, trustworthiness, and reliability of persons certified by the commission. Thus, crimes involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to fraud and dishonesty, are directly relevant. In addition, the ability of such persons to function unimpaired by alcohol or the illegal use of drugs, in dangerous or potentially dangerous circumstances, including but not limited to the operation of emergency vehicles is paramount in light of the duty to protect the health and safety of the public.

Source Note:The provisions of this §403.1 adopted to be effective May 23, 1999, 24 TexReg 3860; amended to be effective March 8, 2001, 26 TexReg 2042.