RE: State-wide Statistics on Certification Levels?

[Guest guest]

If anyone is a paid Firefighter then TCFP applies period. Other than that TCFP

and for that matter SFFMA are voluntary programs.

LNM

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

Re: State-wide Statistics on Certification

> Levels?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Actually....in the not too distant past, TCFP changed it's

wording

> (for

> > whatever reason??!?) to say the applicant must be 'medically

> trained';

> > not specifically EMTB or ECA, just trained. A first aid course

> could

> > cover this. My opinion is that they took a few steps backwards

when

> > they did this (maybe to appease smaller, less funded, volunteer

> > services?). But, regardless, if you are EMT certified in Texas,

you

> > will be listed on the TX DSHS Certification web site search.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

FYI, in Texas there are some departments that only train their volunteer

towards TCFP certification with the intent of obtaining the TCFP basic,

and they have no intention of joining SFFMA. I personally think it is a

big mistake. SFFMA is geared toward volunteers. ISO ratings in many

rural communities can be improved with SFFMA basic certified volunteer

firefighters. There are a couple of departments that are combined and

have their paid also certified through SFFMA as well to help with their

ISO rating.

I heard of a couple of departments, east of Dallas, that are neither.

I have heard of some departments that pay volunteers per call and per

time at station, that are neither SFFMA or TCFP.

Joining SFFMA has so many benefits over TCFP. There are cell phone

discounts that are larger than paying the $20 per year SFFMA membership,

training material discounts and once a person has obtained the SFFMA

Advanced level they can challenge TCFP.. Texas forrestry service

provides training grants for the members to get certified as long as

there is less than 22 paid firefighters in the department they belong

to. This will include travel and hotels. When I went to fire training

at Mineral Wells, last year, I met some firefighters that used

trainingdivision.com with Texas forestry grants to pay for most of their

SFFMA basic and intermediate classes. This is not offered to

departments that are pure TCFP.

I am certified both SFFMA and TCFP plan to continue to stay with both

for a very long time.

Ed Walsh LP

Louis N. Molino, Sr. wrote:

>

> If anyone is a paid Firefighter then TCFP applies period. Other than

> that TCFP and for that matter SFFMA are voluntary programs.

>

> LNM

> Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

>

> Re: State-wide Statistics on Certification

> > Levels?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Actually....in the not too distant past, TCFP changed it's

> wording

> > (for

> > > whatever reason??!?) to say the applicant must be 'medically

> > trained';

> > > not specifically EMTB or ECA, just trained. A first aid course

> > could

> > > cover this. My opinion is that they took a few steps backwards

> when

> > > they did this (maybe to appease smaller, less funded, volunteer

> > > services?). But, regardless, if you are EMT certified in Texas,

> you

> > > will be listed on the TX DSHS Certification web site search.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Ed you're preaching to the choir. I showed my old NJ guys the SFFMA training

program and the HB-2604 grant programs and the we're jealous. NJ does lots for

it's VFD's but nothing like HB-2604.

LNM

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

Re: State-wide Statistics on Certification

> > Levels?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Actually....in the not too distant past, TCFP changed it's

> wording

> > (for

> > > whatever reason??!?) to say the applicant must be 'medically

> > trained';

> > > not specifically EMTB or ECA, just trained. A first aid course

> > could

> > > cover this. My opinion is that they took a few steps backwards

> when

> > > they did this (maybe to appease smaller, less funded, volunteer

> > > services?). But, regardless, if you are EMT certified in Texas,

> you

> > > will be listed on the TX DSHS Certification web site search.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Several questions have been posed on the Texas EMS listserver

(texasems-L) concerning the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and

the regulatory requirements for medical training related to the

certification of firefighters.

Legislatively, the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP)

regulations concerning firefighters apply only to firefighters

employed by a governmental entity. The list of entities which are

considered governmental is quite long and is not repeated here. It is

possible (but NOT required) for a volunteer organization to request

voluntary regulation by the TCFP.

Under Chapter 419.022 of the Texas Government Code, the Commission may

" establish minimum educational, training, physical, and mental

standards for admission to employment as fire protection personnel in

a permanent, temporary, or probationary status and for advanced or

specialized fire protection personnel positions. "

Historically the standards by which the TCFP operates are the National

Fire Protection Association. In the case of medical training

requirements, NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional

Qualifications, 2008 Edition states:

4.3* Emergency Medical Care.

Minimum emergency medical care performance capabilities for

entry-level personnel shall be developed and validated by the AHJ

(authority having jurisdiction, in the case of Texas and only with

regard to career firefighters) to include infection control, CPR,

bleeding control, and shock management.

This is the totality of the medical requirements for firefighter

certification contained in the nationally recognized standard.

Additional guidance in the appendix to that standard makes this

recommendation:

A.4.3 Programs such as the Department of Transportation First

Responder and American Red Cross curricula offer models that can be

followed.

One question on the list had to do with requirements for medical

training for initial certification for firefighters. Certification is

not automatically granted simply by completion of the state test.

State statute requires that an individual apply for certification. In

the past, the individual had to obtain an Emergency Care Attendant or

higher certification from the then Texas Department of Health and

provide proof of this certification along with successfully passing

the TCFP test in order to apply for certification.

There was and is no continuing requirement from TCFP to maintain the

medical certification once the firefighting certification had been

obtained.

EMS continuing education may be counted toward the annual requirement

for fire CE but only up to 4 hours per year in EMS may be counted

toward the requirement.

After many years of debate, the Commission changed the rules to allow

for several alternatives to a TDSHS certification. as Mr. Walsh

correctly pointed out. The change allowed the various departments the

opportunity to train their personnel to whatever level they felt

appropriate.

Each jurisdiction may determine what the minimum medical service and

therefore the training that it will provide and require. While it is

true that some career departments require EMT or Paramedic

certification, this requirement is not set by the TCFP.

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify the medical training

requirements for state firefighter certification.

Regards,

Kelley Stalder

Commissioner and Presiding Officer

Texas Commission on Fire Protection

[Guest guest]

Thank you Commissioner Stalder.? Our EMS System is working on several issues in

regards to EMS CE for our first responders, and this question was one we had

trouble tracking down the answer to.

I appreciate you taking the time to answer this for us.

Dudley

Re: Re: State-wide Statistics on Certification Levels?

Several questions have been posed on the Texas EMS listserver

(texasems-L) concerning the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and

the regulatory requirements for medical training related to the

certification of firefighters.

Legislatively, the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP)

regulations concerning firefighters apply only to firefighters

employed by a governmental entity. The list of entities which are

considered governmental is quite long and is not repeated here. It is

possible (but NOT required) for a volunteer organization to request

voluntary regulation by the TCFP.

Under Chapter 419.022 of the Texas Government Code, the Commission may

" establish minimum educational, training, physical, and mental

standards for admission to employment as fire protection personnel in

a permanent, temporary, or probationary status and for advanced or

specialized fire protection personnel positions. "

Historically the standards by which the TCFP operates are the National

Fire Protection Association. In the case of medical training

requirements, NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional

Qualifications, 2008 Edition states:

4.3* Emergency Medical Care.

Minimum emergency medical care performance capabilities for

entry-level personnel shall be developed and validated by the AHJ

(authority having jurisdiction, in the case of Texas and only with

regard to career firefighters) to include infection control, CPR,

bleeding control, and shock management.

This is the totality of the medical requirements for firefighter

certification contained in the nationally recognized standard.

Additional guidance in the appendix to that standard makes this

recommendation:

A.4.3 Programs such as the Department of Transportation First

Responder and American Red Cross curricula offer models that can be

followed.

One question on the list had to do with requirements for medical

training for initial certification for firefighters. Certification is

not automatically granted simply by completion of the state test.

State statute requires that an individual apply for certification. In

the past, the individual had to obtain an Emergency Care Attendant or

higher certification from the then Texas Department of Health and

provide proof of this certification along with successfully passing

the TCFP test in order to apply for certification.

There was and is no continuing requirement from TCFP to maintain the

medical certification once the firefighting certification had been

obtained.

EMS continuing education may be counted toward the annual requirement

for fire CE but only up to 4 hours per year in EMS may be counted

toward the requirement.

After many years of debate, the Commission changed the rules to allow

for several alternatives to a TDSHS certification. as Mr. Walsh

correctly pointed out. The change allowed the various departments the

opportunity to train their personnel to whatever level they felt

appropriate.

Each jurisdiction may determine what the minimum medical service and

therefore the training that it will provide and require. While it is

true that some career departments require EMT or Paramedic

certification, this requirement is not set by the TCFP.

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify the medical training

requirements for state firefighter certification.

Regards,

Kelley Stalder

Commissioner and Presiding Officer

Texas Commission on Fire Protection