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.