By Laura Nicholes
TAC Legislative Staff
To accommodate new legislative requirements, the Texas Engineering and Extension Service (TEEX) has released a new Crisis Communication Course and is accepting registrations.
TEEX has rolled the additional 24 hours of crisis communications training into its 40 hour TCLEOSE Basic Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate, for a course total of 64 hours. TEEX has provided more information in an
attached flier.
In an effort to set minimum standards in Texas for employment as a telecommunicator, also known as an emergency dispatcher, and to strengthen the certification and training requirements for the profession, HB 3823 was signed into law last legislative session. Occupations Code Section 1701.352 now mandates TCLEOSE to require 24 hours of training in crisis communications in addition to the 40 hours of basic telecommunication training, within the first year of employment if the hire date is on or after Sept. 1, 2011.