Frequently asked questions

The commission receives frequent questions on the following topics:

1. Tuition assistance for fire protection education
2. Volunteer fire fighter certification
3. Volunteer fire department regulations
4. Establishing a volunteer fire department
5. Funding and other resources for Texas fire departments
6. Training materials for fire departments
7. Death and disability benefits
8. TEXFIRS, fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, and fire alarm systems
9. Building and fire codes

1. Tuition assistance for fire protection education

   The Texas Commission on Fire Protection does not offer financial aid. However, the State of Texas offers tuition exemptions or financial aid for fire protection training.

   The Texas Education Code, Title 3 - Higher Education, Chapter 54 - Tuition and Fees, Section 54.208 - Firemen Enrolled in Fire Science Courses , states that personnel employed as fire fighters who attend a state-supported school and take courses in a fire science or fire technology program do not have to pay tuition fees.

   If you are currently employed as a fire fighter, please contact the financial aid office of your institution of higher education for specific information about how this statute applies to the program in which you are enrolled.

   For other individuals seeking financial assistance for fire protection training (for example, individuals who are not employed as fire fighters), financial aid may be available through the educational institution or training facility. Please contact the facility's financial aid office to determine the types of financial aid for which you may be eligible.

2. Volunteer fire fighter certification

   Volunteer fire fighters and individual fire fighters who are not affiliated with a department can participate voluntarily in the commission's certification programs. The certification requirements for volunteers and individuals are the same as for paid fire protection personnel.

   Volunteers who have achieved advanced certification with the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas (SFFMA) may qualify to complete the commission-designated skill evaluation process and take the certification exam (please see Chapter 423 of the Standards Manual).

   Individuals and volunteers can maintain their certification by completing the required hours of continuing education each year and paying the required renewal fee. A form for documenting completed CE, Form TCFP-010 , is available on this site.

3. Volunteer fire department regulations

   The Texas Commission on Fire Protection regulates training, personal protective gear and breathing apparatus of paid fire departments. The commission does not regulate volunteer fire departments unless the volunteer department chooses to participate in the commission's regulatory programs, but this participation is strictly voluntary (please see Chapter 495 of the Standards Manual for more information on voluntary regulation).

   The commission has no statutory authority with regard to apparatus, response times or similar matters. Concerns regarding these issues should be brought to the attention of local authorities.

   While the commission does not regulate volunteer fire departments it does have a resource library that may aid volunteer departments in providing training for fire fighters. This is a free service with the only cost being the return postage on borrowed resources. Please see the resource library overview page for more information.

   The State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas (SFFMA) is an organization that may be able to provide volunteer fire departments. Additionally, the Texas Forest Service has a grant program and other resources available to assist volunteer fire departments.

4. Establishing a volunteer fire department

   The Texas Department of Agriculture has more information about rural volunteer fire departments and emergency service districts (ESDs).

   The State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas (SFFMA), a nonprofit association, also offers a great deal of assistance to volunteer fire departments.

   The United States Fire Administration (USFA) offers several publications concerning fire department administration.

5. Funding and other resources for Texas fire departments

   The Texas Forest Service offers several types of assistance to Texas fire departments. Please see the TFS assistance programs page for more information.

   The Texas Department of State Health Services' Bureau of Emergency Management offers several funding programs for EMS providers. Please see the EMS-Trauma Systems Funding page for more information.

   The United States Fire Academy publishes a reference titled Funding Alternatives for Fire and Emergency Services . USFA also publishes a book called "Fire Service Resource Guide" which can be ordered from their Publications Center at (800) 561-3356 between 8:00a - 4:30p EST/EDT or by writing to the Publications Center, United States Fire Administration, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.

   For non-fire fighting equipment, the Texas Facilities Commission publishes a monthly state surplus property listing. This listing includes everything available statewide, from general office furniture and equipment to communications equipment, vehicles and heavy equipment - most everything except for actual equipment used to fight a fire. The TFC also administers the General Service Administration's Federal Surplus Property Program in Texas. Please see the TFC web site for more details.

   The General Services Administration's Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance , is also a good source of information on resources.

   The Idea Bank maintains an extensive online library of grant resources , including a wide variety of funding sources and grant writing tips and techniques.

6. Training materials for fire departments

   The commission's Ernest A. Emerson Fire Protection Library has an extensive audiovisual library of training materials. These materials are available to Texas fire departments, schools, organizations, individuals, and government entities. Most of the audiovisuals are in VHS format and may be borrowed for training or public education purposes. The only cost to the borrower is the cost of return postage. Please see the complete catalog of materials for a description of each item available.

7. Death and disability benefits

   The Texas Forest Service maintains an extensive list of resources that are available to the fire fighter or the fire fighter's family.

   The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation offers resources including the Chaplain's Manual and other resources .

   The Texas Line of Duty Death (LODD) task force also assists departments with line of duty deaths.

8. TEXFIRS, fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, and fire alarm systems

   Answer: The State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) regulates the fire extinguisher, fire protection sprinkler, and fire alarm system industries in Texas. The SFMO also administers the Texas Fire Incident Reporting System (TEXFIRS). The SFMO is a division of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). The SFMO's e-mail address is fire.marshal@tdi.state.tx.us .

9. Building and fire codes

   The commission does not have any jurisdiction with regard to building or fire codes. In general, if you are in a location that has locally adopted codes, buildings have to comply with the local codes. If your building is in an area that does not have local codes, the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association's Life Safety Code 101 (2009 edition) have been adopted by the State Fire Marshal's Office for fire safety inspections. A copy of the code can be purchased by calling NFPA at 800-344-3555. For more information, please contact the SFMO .