The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) regulates firefighters and Fire Safety Professionals in Texas and investigates complaints filed against them. The TCFP is vested with the authority to take disciplinary action against its licensees for violations of Board rules or other Texas laws. Disciplinary measures can include license revocation or suspension.
The Commission also focuses on ways to reduce firefighter injuries. The TCFP gathers and evaluates data on fire protection personnel injuries to better understand how injuries occur and then make recommendations to help reduce injuries. Tex. Gov. Code § 419.048.
Entities regulated by TCFP are required to report injuries. Non-regulated fire protection entities are encouraged to report any injuries so the Commission can gain an accurate picture of injury trends to the Texas fire service. The Commission reviews the information then provides it to the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) by September 1 of each year for inclusion in the SFMO’s annual Firefighter Fatality Investigations Report.
The Commission collects information on:
- Minor, serious, critical and fatal injuries.
- Activities where fire personnel are injured.
- Types of injuries (burns, strain-sprains, wounds).
- Body parts being injured.
- Tasks performed at the time of injury.
- Missed time.
- Work assignment after injury.
- Malfunctions/failures of personal protective equipment (PPE), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), personal alert safety systems (PASS devices) and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
This information helps the fire service identify common injuries and trends in injuries, identify training needs, and find and evaluate improvements in procedures.
There were 4,090 injuries reported in the 2017 Texas Commission on fire Protection Injury Report. Of these, 827 occurred during fire suppression activities, representing 20 percent of the total reported injuries. This represents a six percent decrease from the prior year where 26 percent of injuries occurred during fire suppression activates. It is through collecting and evaluating injuries that the Commission is able to reduce injuries and keep out firefighters safe from harm.
Fire Protection License Defense Attorneys
Our fire protection license defense attorneys have the experience and legal knowledge needed to defend licensed firefighters and fire inspectors subject to potential disciplinary action. Do not let a complaint end your career. Contact an experienced professional license defense lawyer right away.
BERTOLINO LLP will investigate your case, help you understand your legal options, and build a strong defense to protect your license. We are proud to serve Texans who put their lives on the line to fight fire. Contact us at (512) 476-5757 to schedule a case evaluation.
Call or text (512) 476-5757 or complete a Case Evaluation form
