Relating to compliance by a fire department with certain minimum standards adopted by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

Contracts

• Vendor Agreements: Update purchase agreements for PPE and apparatus. Include a clause requiring vendors to provide a formal "Certification of Delay" or "Force Majeure Notice" within 48 hours of a missed delivery deadline. This document is required evidence for your TCFP filing.
• Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs): Review CBAs immediately. A state-granted extension does not automatically override contractual safety obligations to unions. Operating under a waiver may trigger grievances unless the CBA is amended or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed.

Hiring/Training

• Training Standards: If the non-compliance relates to training hours or certification renewal due to course unavailability, you must document the specific lack of available courses.
• Safety Officers: Designate a specific officer to monitor expiration dates against delivery estimates to predict non-compliance 90 days out.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• New Filing Requirement: You must submit a formal request to TCFP for any extension.
• Evidentiary Standard: You must maintain a "Compliance Justification File" containing:
• Dated procurement logs showing timely ordering.
• Written correspondence from vendors confirming supply chain failures.
• Budgetary meeting minutes if the delay is fiscal.
• Insurance Notification: Notify your risk pool or liability carrier if you operate under an extension. Standard policies may exclude coverage for incidents involving non-compliant equipment unless the carrier explicitly acknowledges the TCFP waiver.

Fees & Costs

• Direct Costs: No new state fees are associated with the filing.
• Indirect Costs: Potential legal costs to draft extension requests and negotiate MOUs with unions regarding the temporary lowering of standards.