1. (a) In order to become certified as basic structure fire protection personnel, an individual must:

   1. (1) complete a commission approved basic structure fire suppression program 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:

      1. (A) completion of a commission approved Basic Fire Suppression Curriculum, as specified in Chapter 1 of the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual; or
      2. (B) completion of the five phase levels of the approved Basic Fire Suppression Curriculum, as specified in Chapter 1 of the commission's Certification Curriculum Manual; or
      3. (C) completion of an out-of-state training program deemed equivalent to the commission-approved basic fire suppression curriculum; or
      4. (D) completion of a military training program deemed equivalent to a commission-approved basic fire suppression curriculum; or
      5. (E) documentation of the receipt of an advanced certificate or 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.
   2. (2) complete as a minimum the certification requirements and hold a current certification by the Texas Department of Health, as an emergency care attendant. Any higher level of emergency medical certification recognized by the Texas Department of Health, such as EMT or paramedic may also be used to satisfy the emergency medical training requirement of this section. Certification from the American Red Cross of successful completion of the American Red Cross Emergency Response course of at least 53 hours, including optional lessons and enrichment sections, may also be used to satisfy the training requirement of this section.
2. (b) A basic fire suppression program may be submitted to the commission for approval by another jurisdiction as required in Texas Government Code, §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.
3. (c) Except as provided in subsection (a)(1)(C)-(E) of this section, the commission approved basic fire suppression curriculum must be taught by a training facility that has been certified by the commission as provided in Chapter 427, of this title (relating to Training Facility Certification).
4. (d) A person who holds or is eligible to hold a certificate upon employment as a part-time structural firefighter may be certified as a structural fire protection personnel, of the same level of certification, without meeting the applicable examination requirements.
5. (e) If a person holds a current certification as a part-time structural firefighter, the Texas Department of Health emergency care attendant certification may be satisfied by documentation of equivalent training or certification in lieu of current certification by the Texas Department of Health.
6. (f) Individuals from another jurisdiction who possess valid documentation of accreditation from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress as a Fire Fighter II and Driver Operator (Fire Fighter III, Fire Officer I, and Driver Operator if accredited under the 1987 or earlier edition of NFPA 1001) shall be eligible to take the commission examination for basic structural fire protection personnel.

Source Note:The provisions of this §423.3 adopted to be effective November 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 10888; amended to be effective January 1, 2000, 24 TexReg 6096; amended to be effective September 3, 2000, 25 TexReg 8740; amended to be effective December 16, 2002, 27 TexReg 11795.