Texas Commission on Fire Protection

Transcription

1 2017 Texas Commission on Fire Protection OVERVIEW, REVENUE, DATA MANAGEMENT PROJECT, PERFORMANCE MEASURES Page 1 of 9

2 Overview The Commission on Fire Protection is charged with developing and enforcing standards for the Texas fire service, gathering data related to injuries sustained by fire protection personnel, and promoting education/training in emergency services. The Commission accomplishes its first charge through three core functional areas of the organization: Compliance Testing Certification The commission also gathers data on fire personnel injuries, performs analyses, and publishes a yearly report. The information is available in the annual State Fire Marshal s report, and on the commission s website. The report provides valuable data to fire departments as they seek to reduce the incidence of injuries in their organizations. The Commission s support to education and training efforts is implemented in part through its fire protection resource library. Audio/visual and printed material is made available to fire departments and personnel throughout the state to assist in their training programs. The Commission also approves and monitors the operations of facilities that deliver training leading to state fire certification for students. The Commission on Fire Protection also works closely with other organizations to ensure coordination of efforts in the delivery of quality fire protection services to the state s citizens. These organizations include other state agencies, education and training entities, and various stakeholder associations. Both paid and volunteer fire protection personnel are represented within the group. Revenue Most (about 97%) of the Commission s revenue comes from fees assessed for certification testing, issuance, and renewal. The majority of the revenue takes the form of annual renewal fees paid mostly by fire departments and other entities. About 3% of agency revenue comes from other minor fees. Sources of Revenue (approximate) 20% 17% 3% 60% Certification Renewal Exams Certificate Issuance Other The G.A.A. for calls for the Commission on Fire Protection to generate enough revenue to cover its total appropriated amounts, including all direct and indirect costs set aside for its operations. The GAA also requires the commission to generate an additional $1.5 million over and above these appropriated amounts, making the total revenue requirement approximately $7.27 million for the biennium. With the exception of a small amount from appropriated receipts, the commission is not authorized to keep or utilize revenue collected above this required threshold. Funds are deposited into a general revenue account. Page 2 of 9

3 Data Management System Development The Commission on Fire Protection is committed to adopting the most current technology possible to deliver services and oversight. The organization s Information Technology team has been working diligently over the past two years to design and develop new features to the commission s online presence, with the goal to make user interaction easier, faster, and more efficient. The new system will in many ways transform how the commission does business. It is anticipated that most features of the new data management system will be in place and operational by the end of the biennium. Features of the system will include new or improved web-based: Customer management of personal information. Payments for most transactions. Applications for certifications and other credentials. Certification testing. Injury reporting. Submission of training requests. Submission of completed professional development training. Commission library interface. Staff interfaces, including a greatly improved module for field personnel. Additional Features to be Developed: Following the launch of the features mentioned, planning will commence for the development of a system that allows fire departments to electronically submit completed commissionrequired continuing education for their personnel. Commission rules require subject- and hour-specific training to be completed, depending upon personnel assignments and certifications held. Currently, records for continuing education are maintained by fire departments and subject to inspection by compliance officers. The Commission on Fire Protection is slated to participate in the transition to the CAPPS system beginning in FY The current plan calls for development of the financial services module in FY19, with the human resources/personnel module to follow later. Migration of Existing Data Customer Interface Online Testing Module Online Application Module Injury Reporting Module TCFP Data Management System Transition Staff Interface A big challenge with development of the new system has been the requirement to adapt data in the old system to the new format and features. Much of the data is managed by software that is out of date, and beyond its capabilities with regard to current demands. A great deal of back-end work has been required in order to improve the usefulness of the data in the newly designed system. Library Module Overall Progress of Project % Completion Page 3 of 9

4 PERFORMANCE MEASURE TARGETS AND TRENDS PERSONS CERTIFIED BY TCFP 33,000 32,500 32,000 31,690 31,980 32,613 31,500 31,000 30,500 30,000 29,500 29,000 28,500 29,727 30,530 30,812 28,000 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 Explanatory Measure: Number of Individuals Certified Current Performance Measure Target (FY2017): 31,600 Two types of certificate holders: Employed by regulated entities: 29,000 30,000. Individual certificate holders: Approximately 3,000 at any given time. Many certificate holders carry more than one TCFP certification. Twenty-one certifications offered by TCFP, and thirty-nine different levels. Some certifications mandatory, while others considered professional development. Page 4 of 9

5 Number of Certified Training Providers FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 Explanatory Measure: Number of Training Providers Certified Current Performance Measure Target (FY2017): 260 Approval of facility required if delivering training that leads to state certification for students. Various entities approved to deliver certification training: Fire departments Fire marshal offices Community colleges Private providers May conduct training via onsite or online delivery. Many facilities approved to conduct training in several different disciplines. Page 5 of 9

6 9,500 Number of Certification Exams by FY 9,300 9,100 9,076 8,900 8,700 8,500 8,300 8,689 8,650 8,507 8,239 8,177 8,100 7,900 7,700 7,500 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 Output Measure: Number of Examinations Administered Current Performance Measure Target (FY2017): 9,500 Significant across-the-board increase in exam activity in past year and a half. Heavy testing volume continues. A great deal of interest in professional development exams/certifications. New certifications (and exams) are in development. Online testing program to be launched spring of Page 6 of 9

7 95% 94% 93% 92% 91% 90% 89% 88% 87% 86% 85% Pass Rate on State Fire Exams - All Certifications 93% 92% 91% 90% 90% 90% FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 Explanatory Measure: Percentage of Individuals Who Pass the Certification Exam Current Performance Measure Target (FY2017): 90% 35 40% of exams taken are to obtain mandatory certifications. New test question banks may temporarily impact future pass rate. New requirements for multi-section exams may also temporarily impact future pass rate. Page 7 of 9

8 Inspections of Regulated Entities by FY , , FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 Output Measure: Number of Inspections of Regulated Entities Current Performance Measure Target (FY2017): 1,120 Approximately 700 regulated entities: Fire departments, fire marshal offices, L.E. offices, training facilities. State divided into seven regions. Different types of inspections: o Biennial (called for by statute) o Risk based & investigations o Audits of ongoing training programs Communication and outreach to entities by compliance personnel considered extremely important. Page 8 of 9

9 500 Average Cost per Inspection (new performance measure) FY 16-1 FY 16-2 FY 16-3 FY 16-4 FY 17-1 Efficiency Measure: Average Cost per Inspection of Regulated Entities Current Performance Measure Target (FY2017): $425 New measure beginning with budget cycle. Refinement of cost calculation during FY2016 should produce more accurate picture of actual costs. Costs can vary depending upon: Size of department. Type of inspection. Ability for compliance personnel to combine multiple inspections in single trip. Time of year (seasonal cost variations). Region of state. Page 9 of 9