1. (a) Training programs that are intended to satisfy the requirements for basic aircraft rescue fire fighting personnel certification must meet the curriculum, competencies, and hour requirements of these sections. All applicants for certification must meet the examination requirements of this section.

2. (b) In order to obtain basic aircraft rescue fire fighting personnel certification the individual must:

   1. (1) hold basic structure fire protection personnel certification;

   2. (2) complete a training program specific to aircraft rescue fire suppression consisting of one of the following:

      1. (A) a commission approved Basic Aircraft Rescue Fire Suppression curriculum as specified in Chapter 2 of the Commission Certification Curriculum Manual for Paid Fire Protection Personnel as approved by the commission in accordance with Chapter 443 of this title (relating to Certification Curriculum Manual). This course must be taught by a training facility that has been certified by the commission as provided in Chapter 427 of this title (relating to Certified Training Facilities); or
      2. (B) an out-of-state training program that has been submitted to the commission for evaluation and found to be equivalent to or to exceed the commission approved basic aircraft rescue fire suppression curriculum; or
      3. (C) a military training program that has been submitted to the commission for evaluation and found to be equivalent to or to exceed the commission approved basic aircraft rescue fire suppression curriculum;
   3. (3) successfully pass a written commission examination pertaining to aircraft rescue fire fighting conducted according to the rules set forth in Chapter 439 of this title (relating to Examinations for Certification); and

   4. (4) meet the requirements for performance skills in Chapter 439 of this title relating to Performance Skill Evaluation with the following exceptions:

      1. (A) All performance skills listed in the curriculum must be tested for competency during the course.
      2. (B) The number of opportunities to successfully complete particular performance skill objectives evaluated is at the discretion of the training officer or coordinator. Retests must be conducted prior to the completion of the course.
      3. (C) All skills must be demonstrated before a commission approved field examiner.
3. (c) Out-of-state or military training programs which are submitted to the commission for the purpose of determining equivalency will be considered equivalent if the subjects taught, subject content, hours of training in each subject, and total hours of training meet or exceed the requirements set forth in Chapter 2 (pertaining to Basic Aircraft Rescue Fire Protection) of the Commission Certification Curriculum Manual for Paid Fire Protection Personnel.
4. (d) A person who holds or is eligible to hold a certificate upon employment as a part-time aircraft rescue firefighter may be certified as an aircraft rescue fire fighting 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 aircraft rescue 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.

Source Note:The provisions of this §423.203 adopted to be effective November 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 10889; amended to be effective March 1, 1999, 24 TexReg 790.