The Fire Chief recommends that City Council approve a motion authorizing payment to the Texas Commission of Fire Protection (TCFP) for recertification of firefighters in an amount not to exceed $373,563.00.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The Fire Chief recommends that City Council approve a motion authorizing payment to the Texas Commission of Fire Protection (TCFP) for recertification of firefighters in an amount not to exceed $373,563.00 for FY26.
Texas Government Code 419.034 requires that all firefighters employed in the State of Texas as a full-time firefighter hold a state certification. Certification must be renewed annually for each firefighter. Annual recertification fees of $60 per firefighter are to be paid to the TCFP prior to October 31st of each year. Payment after October 31st results in a late penalty of $30, in addition to the renewal fee, for each individual for which a renewal fee was due.
Certifications includes firefighting, inspection, rescue, aircraft firefighting, hazmat, arson, fire officer and fire instructors. Not every firefighter holds each certification. Each individual is state certified in accordance with their job responsibilities within the department. Based on current numbers of certified employees and projected trainees to be certified this fiscal year, HFD budgeted a total expenditure of no more than $373,563 in FY26.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2026 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policy.
______________________
Thomas Muñoz, Fire Chief
Houston Fire Department
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Estimated Spending Authority
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Department
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FY26
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Total
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Houston Fire Department
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$373,563
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$373,563
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