Article
According to the Texas Fire Information Reporting System, every seven minutes a fire occurs in Texas. In 2002, Texas had 72,347 fires, resulting in 129 deaths, 1,259 injuries and $373,020,577 in property damages. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection, a state government agency, is one of many state and local agencies that make up the Texas fire protection community. The mission of the TCFP is to enforce statewide laws and assist local governments in ensuring that the lives and property of the public and of the fire service are adequately protected from fires and related hazards. The TCFP board is comprised of nine fire protection professionals and four public members who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. This board is accountable for adopting the policies that become state administrative laws governing fire protection. Today, TCFP assists with four Texas fire service program areas: certification; curriculum and course approvals; testing; and setting compliance standards. Two divisions within TCFP, the Fire Protection Resource Library and the Fire Department emergency Program, supply education and assistance to approximately 535 paid or partially paid fire departments and 230 other entities, such as fire marshal office and training academies. Approximately 1,900 volunteer fire departments operate in Texas, and while they are not regulated by the commission, they are eligible to receive commission services, including grants, loans, and scholarships through the fire department emergency fund program. Additionally, TCFP establishes minimum fire service training requirements, provides research material and ensures firefighter health and safety by establishing standards for and conducting inspections of personal protective equipment. TCFP is an important resource in the fire protection community as it assists firefighters and identifies the appropriate agencies for addressing the public's fire protection needs. However, it is ultimately the dedication and heroic actions of our paid and volunteer firefighters that protect our family and property against the devastation of fire. It is important that we show our appreciation as citizens and our support as a state to help these heroes perform their duties. For more information on the TCFP you may visit www.tcfp.state.tx.us. Please feel free to contact me if I may be of assistance to you with any matter of state government. You can contact me by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by e-mailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us.
Gallery