78R6600 KSD-F

By:  Bailey                                                       H.B. No. 2363



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to minimum staffing for certain fire apparatus in certain 
fire departments.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 143, Local Government 
Code, is amended by adding Section 143.1055 to read as follows:
	Sec. 143.1055.  MINIMUM STAFFING FOR FIRE APPARATUS.  (a)  In 
this section:
		(1)  "Engine company" means a fire company whose 
primary functions are to pump and deliver water and to perform fire 
suppression and maintenance.
		(2)  "Ladder or truck company" means a fire company 
whose primary functions are to perform services associated with 
truck work, including forcible entry, ventilation, search and 
rescue, aerial operations, utility control, illumination, 
overhaul, and salvage work.
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), an engine company 
or a ladder or truck company shall be staffed with at least four 
on-duty fire fighters.
	(c)  If a fire company serves an area that the fire 
department determines is a high risk area because of tactical 
hazards, high hazard occupancies, high incident frequencies, 
geographical restrictions, or other relevant factors, the fire 
company shall be staffed with at least:
		(1)  five on-duty fire fighters if the company is an 
engine company; or
		(2)  six on-duty fire fighters if the company is a 
ladder or truck company.
	(d)  Each fire company shall be led by an officer who is 
considered a fire fighter of the company for purposes of 
Subsections (b) and (c).
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.