Service Time

Service time is defined as years of service employed while holding certification that can be used towards higher levels of and instructor certification.

If your FIDO account reflects employment with a regulated entity, and you hold certification, you are earning service time. Service time becomes important as some certifications have a service time requirement.

If you have firefighting experience prior to holding TCFP certification or prior to employment with a regulated entity in the state of Texas, you may be granted equivalent service time if the appropriate documentation is submitted.

To be granted service time, Form 16: Affidavit (PDF). and ALL required supporting documentation must be uploaded to your FIDO account on the Submissions page, Service Time Affidavits button for review and approval.

Please note:

• We can only grant service time beginning from the earliest date that all submitted documentation coincide
• We do not grant service time for overlapping work periods, ex. time employed with a regulated entity and as a volunteer with a nonregulated department is only counted once
• We do not grant service time for employment with private industry

Out-of-State

If you were a firefighter in another state, the following is required:

• Form 16: Affidavit (PDF); and,
• FF2 IFSAC seal, OR
• TCFP: 017 Assurance of Training (PDF) (If training is other than IFSAC); and
• Medical training (ECA, EMR, EMT or Paramedic) documentation with a date of completion

Military

If you were a firefighter in the military and have DoD IFSAC seals, the following is required:

• DD214 documenting fire protection duty
• FF2 IFSAC seal
• Medical training (ECA, EMR, EMT or Paramedic) documentation with a date of completion

Volunteer while holding an active TCFP certification

If you were/are a volunteer firefighter, the following is required:

• Form 16: Affidavit (PDF).

Volunteer prior to holding TCFP certification

If you were/are a volunteer firefighter with SFFMA certification prior to holding a TCFP certification, the following is required:

• Form 16: Affidavit (PDF)
• State Fireman’s and Fire Marshal’s Association (SFFMA) Advanced Firefighter certification or Fire Fighter II SFFMA certification
• Medical training (ECA, EMR, EMT or Paramedic) documentation with a date of completion

Instructor (ONLY)

If you were/are a volunteer firefighter and want to document time to qualify for Instructor certification ONLY, the following is required:

• Form 16: Affidavit (PDF)
• State Fireman’s and Fire Marshal’s Association (SFFMA) Advanced Level II Instructor certification, received prior to June 1, 2008 or Instructor I received on or after June 1, 2008 OR
• An equivalent instructor certification from the DSHS OR
• An equivalent instructor certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.