UTEP Becomes First UT System School Designated as Fire Department and Marshal Office
UTEP’s Fire and Life Safety team has been designated an official fire prevention department and fire marshal office by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), making UTEP the first school in The University of Texas System to meet the rigorous requirements for this designation.
Ricardo Gonzalez, assistant director for the Environmental Health and Safety Department, will now oversee the Life and Safety team as well as Emergency Management, taking charge as head of the fire department and as a certified state fire marshal.
“I think it’s a great accomplishment for our school,” Gonzalez said. “I think it puts us in a place to be trailblazers in the fire and life safety realm. As a team, we’re now a recognized department for the state, and that’s important.”
As an official TCFP department, UTEP’s Fire and Life Safety team can act as their own department, taking the reins in preventing fires on campus.
“UTEP’s designation as a fire department and fire marshal office is a reflection of the knowledge, experience and skills our employees bring to the table,” said Emilio Rodriguez, assistant vice president for the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. “It further solidifies our status as a premier institution within the UT System.”
In addition to the recognition, the Fire and Life Safety team now has the ability to conduct investigations, easing the aftermath of fire suppression on campus.
“Prior to this, if there was a fire [extinguished] at the University, we would have to wait until the state fire marshal office came in to investigate,” Gonzalez said. “We can do that in-house now. For example, say there’s a building fire. You previously had to secure that whole area until the inspector got here, and if it happened during the week, by the time they traveled here, it might have taken three to four days before they arrived. Now, it’s a lot easier.”
To be considered for and maintain this designation, organizations must complete an application and continue to meet certification and training requirements with both the TCFP and the National Fire Protection Association. This means staying abreast of fire codes that tend to change frequently in the industry.
The TCFP also looks at the experience of the director in charge of the university’s fire safety program, requiring that he or she have more than 10 years of experience in the field. Gonzalez spent 26 years as a firefighter, later working his way up to battalion chief with the El Paso Fire Department, where he worked primarily in emergency management. Now, he uses his skills and experience to support UTEP.
“UTEP is a staple in the community; it’s a home for everyone here,” Gonzalez said, which is why he’s proud to spearhead the team working to maintain the safety of UTEP students, faculty and staff.
The Fire and Life Safety team will continue their work on campus, which includes fire prevention and partnering with the City of El Paso to provide fire suppression and emergency medical response services.
Looking to the future, Gonzalez knows that this designation will allow UTEP to continue to be a leading institution in fire safety.
To learn more about UTEP’s Fire and Life Safety team, please visit https://www.utep.edu/ehs/.
Last Updated on July 19, 2023 at 12:00 AM | Originally published July 19, 2023
By Julia Hettiger UTEP Marketing and Communications
