- (a) The purpose of this chapter is to establish guidelines and criteria on the eligibility of persons with criminal convictions for a certificate, permit, or license issued by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (the commission) and to establish procedures for suspension, revocation, or denial of a certificate, permit, or license held or applied for by persons with criminal convictions pursuant to Texas Civil Statutes, Articles 6252-13c and 6252-13d.
- (b) The duties and responsibilities of persons who hold certifications, licenses, and permits issued by the commission each involve matters that directly relate to public safety. Fire protection personnel, volunteer fire fighters, and installers of fire protection systems often have access to areas not generally open to the public. The public relies on the honesty, trustworthiness, and reliability of persons certified or licensed 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 or company vehicles or the manufacture, storage, sale, and use of fireworks, 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 October 14, 1994, 19 TexReg 7802.