1. (a) General statement. It shall be clearly understood that the specified minimum standards herein described 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.

2. (b) Functional position descriptions.

   1. (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.

      1. (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.
      2. (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. (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.

      1. (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.
      2. (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. (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.

      1. (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.
      2. (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. (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.

      1. (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 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 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.
      2. (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. (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.

      1. (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 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 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.
      2. (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. (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.

      1. (A) Qualifications. In addition to the qualifications for basic structural fire protection personnel: analyze a hazardous materials incident, plan a response, implement the planned response, evaluate the progress of the planned response, and terminate the incident.
      2. (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. (7) 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.

      1. (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.
      2. (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.

   8. (8) 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.

      1. (A) Qualifications. In addition to the qualifications for basic structural fire protection and Fire Instructor I personnel: supervise personnel, assign tasks at emergency operations, direct personnel during training activities, recommend action for member-related problems, coordinate assigned tasks and projects, deal with inquiries and concerns from members of the community, implement policies, perform routine administrative functions, perform preliminary fire investigation, secure an incident scene and preserve evidence, develop pre-incident plans, supervisory emergency operations, develop and implement action plans, deploy assigned resources, ensure a safe work environment for personnel, conduct initial accident investigation, and document an incident.
      2. (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.

   9. (9) 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.

      1. (A) Qualifications. In addition to the qualifications for Fire Officer I and Fire Instructor I personnel: motivate members for maximum job performance, evaluate job performance, deliver life safety and fire prevention education programs, prepare budget requests, news releases, and policy changes, conduct pre-incident planning, fire inspections, and fire investigations, supervise multi-unit emergency operations, identify unsafe work environments or behaviors, review injury, accident, and exposure reports.
      2. (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.

   10. (10) 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.

       1. (A) Qualifications. In addition to successfully completing a Commission approved course and achieving a passing score on the certification examination: deliver instruction effectively from a prepared lesson plan, including use of instructional aids and evaluation instruments; adapt lessons plans to the unique requirements of both students and the authority having jurisdiction; organize the learning environment so that learning is maximized; and meet the record-keeping requirements of the authority having jurisdiction.
       2. (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.

   11. (11) 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.

       1. (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: develop individual lesson plans for a specific topic including learning objectives, instructional aids, and evaluation instruments; schedule training sessions based on the overall training plan of the authority having jurisdiction; and supervise and coordinate the activities of other instructors.
       2. (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.

   12. (12) 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.

       1. (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: develop comprehensive training curricula and programs for use by single or multiple organizations; conduct organizational needs analysis; and develop training goals and implementation strategies.
       2. (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.

Source Note:The provisions of this §421.3 adopted to be effective November 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 10886; amended to be effective May 23, 1999, 24 TexReg 3861; amended to be effective November 14, 1999, 24 TexReg 10139; amended to be effective November 20, 2002, 27 TexReg 10747; amended to be effective June 17, 2003, 28 TexReg 4566; amended to be effective March 2, 2005, 30 TexReg 1085; amended to be effective May 21, 2006, 31 TexReg 3903; amended to be effective December 3, 2006, 31 TexReg 9618; amended to be effective May 9, 2007, 32 TexReg 2470.