HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 111.03 REVISED 4-2016_TCFP1 1 1.03 - TCFP Certification & Renewal Processes
Effective. 11/1/1999
Revised: 4/5/2016
Replaces: UOG 111.03
I. Guiding Philosophy
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) enforces statewide laws and assists
local governments in ensuring that the lives and property of the public and firefighters are
adequately protected from fires and related hazards by setting minimum requirements for
certification in various disciplines. We do our best to comply with TCFP regulations.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define the procedures and responsibilities associated with
certification attainment, upgrade and renewal for Texas Commission on Fire Protection regulated
programs.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to:
A. Reference TCFP-regulated certification programs and facilities and the process to
initiate a certification request.
B. Detail the process and responsibilities when applying for TCFP certification
upgrades.
C. Detail the process and responsibilities for annual TCFP individual certification
renewals and audits.
D. Detail the process and responsibilities for annual TCFP facility certification
renewals.
IV. Definitions
A. FIDO — Acronym for Firefighters: Individuals and Departments Online; the
TCFP online certification maintenance database.
B. TCFP — Acronym for the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
C. TCFP Fiscal Year — Twelve month period from November 1 through October 31
each year that is the basis for continuing education tracking for career firefighters
in Texas who are currently employed by a department. Individual certificate
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holders (not currently employed by a department) follow a different twelve-month
cycle for tracking continuing education and maintenance of certifications.
V. Regulated Certification Programs
A. The most current information concerning TCFP-regulated certification programs
will be available from the organization's website at: p.texas.gov
B. The requirements for paid fire personnel operating within the State of
Texas, including available types and levels of certification, are outlined in
Chapters 401-495 of the TCFP's Standards Manual for Fire Protection Personnel
(also available on the TCFP website).
C. Individuals interested in pursuing a TCFP certification in a particular discipline
(other than Structure Firefighter) should utilize the request for training process
(SOG 111.01) to initiate his/her request. Approval of certification requests will be
decided on an individual basis and based on:
1. Department need
2. Current assignment
3. Available funding
4. The individual's willingness to apply gained knowledge/skills for the
betterment of the Department and services provided to the community.
VI. Applying for & Processing Certification Upgrades
A. If an individual believes he/she meets or exceeds the requirements for a
certification upgrade, he/she should contact the Certification & Training Group to
prompt a review of his/her training file and related documentation.
B. After reviewing the file and documentation, the Training Coordinator will:
1. Verify whether the requirements have been met and are appropriately
documented.
2. If requirements have been met, compile the corresponding documentation
packet and route packet to the Logistics -Purchasing Unit to initiate the
necessary payment of fees and submission of packet to the TCFP.
3. If requirements have not been met, advise the individual as to what needs
to be accomplished to attain the desired certification type and/or level.
4. Via email, advise the individual of the status of his/her inquiry (either
Requirements Met or Requirements Not Met) noting specific deficiencies
or other pertinent information to complete the request at the Training
Coordinator level.
C. Once the individual has been notified that his/her documentation packet has been
sent to the Logistics -Purchasing Unit for submission, it is his/her responsibility to
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follow up through the Logistics -Purchasing Unit or the TCFP as to the status of
the upgrade. To expedite this process, individuals must set up their individual
account through the FIDO system on the TCFP website https://fido.tcfp.texas.gov.
D. The TCFP will notify the individual via email that the printable certification is in
his/her personal FIDO account. When this occurs, the individual must:
1. Log in to his/her FIDO account.
2. Retrieve and forward a copy of the certificate to the Firefighter
Certification & Training Program Coordinator and C&T Secretary (via
email).
E. Upon receipt, the Firefighter Certification & Training Program Coordinator will
insure that:
1. The certification is properly recorded in the Staff Module of Firehouse.
2. The certificate is filed in the individual's Certification and Training Folder
in Laserfiche (under Fire Internal Shared folder).
3. Other Firehouse modules are updated as necessary, depending on the
certification type or level.
4. If the certification will activate incentive pay, notify administrative staff at
Fire Headquarters via email (with attached certificate) to initiate the
required documentation.
F. Upon notification, the Fire Chief s Administrative Assistant will insure that
documentation to activate incentive pay is completed and forwarded to the City
Finance Department (if applicable).
VII. Process for Annual TCFP Certification Renewal and Audits
A. All personnel will be provided the opportunity to achieve the required number of
approved continuing education credits during the TCFP fiscal year to maintain
certifications via online training or other means.
B. No later than September 1 of each year, the Firefighter Certification & Training
Program Coordinator will review continuing education documentation for all
personnel to insure that each individual is on track for renewal and will:
1. Compile and distribute a report listing those persons who are forecasted to
be deficient in continuing education credits for the TCFP fiscal year.
2. For all certifications other than 80 -hour Hazardous Materials Technician,
assign additional training as necessary to achieve compliance.
a. Via email, notify the individual and his/her chain of command of
the assignment.
b. Assignment must be completed no later than October 31.
3. For TCFP 80 -hour Hazardous Materials Technician certified personnel:
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a. Notify the Haz Mat Program Manager, Team Coordinator and
Shift Team Leaders via email of the deficiency.
b. As instructed by the HazMat Program Manager, assign additional
training to achieve compliance.
c. Via email, notify the individual and his/her chain of command of
the assignment.
d. Assignment must be completed no later than October 31.
4. Near the end of the TCFP fiscal year, the TCFP will send an email
notification for certification renewal to the Fire Chief, who will forward
the notice to the Firefighter Certification & Training Program Coordinator
to initiate the annual certification audit and renewal processing.
When received, the Firefighter Certification & Training Program
Coordinator will:
a. Log on to the Fire Department's FIDO account.
b. Print the renewal notice and certifications listing.
c. Audit the TCFP certifications listed for each individual against
Firehouse records and correct any inaccuracies.
d. Perform a final audit of continuing education hours for all
personnel to insure compliance.
1. For individuals who were off work for medical reasons for
six or more months of the fiscal year, complete the TCFP
C.E. Exemption forms, as necessary.
2. For non-compliant individuals who are not eligible for
exemption, notify individual and his/her chain of command
IMMEDIATELY via high priority, return receipt email.
Insure appropriate C.E. hours are assigned for non-
compliant individuals and are completed no later than
October 31.
e. When complete, obtain the Fire Chief s signature on the invoice.
f. Route the invoice to Logistics -Purchasing Unit.
6. When received, the Logistics Section Chief will insure that:
a. A check request is routed to City Finance (ask that a copy of the
check to be returned for filing).
b. File a copy of the invoice and check.
VIII. Training Facility Certification Renewal Process
A. Deadline for training facility certifications is January 31st of each year. No later than
January 1st of each year, the Firefighter Certification & Training Program
Coordinator will:
1. Log in to the FIDO account.
2. Generate and print the training facility certification renewal notice.
3. Ensure all requirements for facility certifications have been met.
4. Deliver renewal notice to the Fire Chief to sign.
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5. Forward the renewal notice to Logistics -Purchasing Unit.
B. When received, the Logistics Section Chief will insure that:
1. A check request is routed to City Finance (ask that a copy of the check to
be returned for filing).
2. File a copy of the invoice and check.
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