(a) General statement. It shall be clearly understood that the specified minimum standards described in this section 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.
(b) Functional position descriptions.
  (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.
    (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.
    (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) 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.
    (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.
    (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) 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.
    (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.
    (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) 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.
    (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 to 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 a 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.
    (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) 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.
    (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 to 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 a 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.
Cont'd...