Texas Public Safety Training Academy (TPSTA) – Terms of Service (TOS)

Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Revised: October 27, 2025

Welcome to Texas Public Safety Training Academy (TPSTA). These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of our website, online learning systems, enrollment services, and all training programs provided by TPSTA.

By enrolling in a course, submitting an application, or accessing TPSTA’s website or online content, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Organization Overview

TPSTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing training in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Firefighting, and Private Security, as well as other public safety and allied health programs.
All programs are approved by the appropriate state regulatory agencies including:

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP)
State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association (SFFMA)
Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Bureau (DPS-PSB)

2. Eligibility and Enrollment

Applicants must meet all prerequisites outlined for their chosen program (EMS, Fire, or Security).
Applicants must be able to perform the essential physical and cognitive functions of their respective training roles.
All students must be at least 16 years old.
Some programs require background checks, medical clearances, or immunizations as per state and agency requirements.
TPSTA does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

3. Tuition, Payment, and Refund Policy

3.1. Tuition and Fees

All tuition must be paid in full before the first day of class unless otherwise approved by administration staff through an official payment plan or through the checkout method of Klarna.
Students sponsored by approved organizations must provide documentation of financial sponsorship prior to course start.
Students with outstanding balances will not receive completion certificates or NREMT/state authorization to test until their account is paid in full.

3.2. Returns, Refunds and Cancellations

In accordance with TPSTA’s Student Cancellation and Refund Policy (Revised 4/1/2023):

Refunds are only available when a written cancellation is received at least 14 calendar days before the course start date.
Cancellations submitted less than 14 days prior are not eligible for refunds.
Students who fail to attend or complete a course, are dismissed, or withdraw after the start date are responsible for the full tuition amount.
Refunds are not granted for failure to meet academic, attendance, or conduct requirements.
TPSTA does not accept Returns due to the nature of our product being intangible, “you are unable to return access to a online portal or attendance to a in person course”

3.3. Payment Defaults

Accounts more than 30 days past due may be referred to collections and reported to credit agencies.
Students enrolled under a sponsoring agency will not be personally penalized for nonpayment if the agency is the responsible payer.
Late fees may apply to delinquent invoices.

4. Attendance and Academic Standards

100% attendance is required for all in-person sessions unless excused for emergencies and approved by the Program Director.
Students must maintain a minimum grade average of:
- 75% for EMS courses
- 70% for Fire and Security courses
Two (2) retest opportunities are permitted for final exams EMS and Three attempts for Fire and Security Course; failure to pass will result in dismissal.
Excessive absences (20% or more of class time) may result in automatic disenrollment without refund.

5. Conduct and Professional Standards

All students, instructors, and staff must uphold professionalism consistent with TPSTA’s mission and public safety ethics.

Prohibited Conduct Includes:

Disruptive, disrespectful, or harassing behavior.
Use of alcohol or drugs within 12 hours of class or training.
Possession of illegal drugs or unprescribed medications.
Cheating, falsifying records, or misrepresenting certifications.
Theft, vandalism, or unauthorized possession of TPSTA or partner agency equipment.
Romantic or sexual relationships between cadets and instructors/staff during training.

Enforcement:

Violations may result in counseling, suspension, or immediate dismissal without refund.
Criminal activity will be referred to law enforcement.
TPSTA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, or substance abuse.

6. Liability and Risk Acknowledgment

All students must sign a Liability Waiver before beginning any practical or clinical training.

By participating in TPSTA training, you acknowledge:

You assume all risks associated with training activities, including physical injury or illness.
TPSTA and its affiliates are not liable for injuries, illnesses, property damage, or loss occurring during participation in TPSTA courses or events.
TPSTA maintains general liability insurance, but personal injury coverage for students is not provided.

7. Equipment, Uniforms, and Property

Students are responsible for maintaining all issued equipment and uniforms in a clean and professional condition.
Damage caused by negligence or misuse may result in financial liability.
Unauthorized removal or possession of TPSTA or partner property is considered theft.

8. Privacy and Confidentiality

TPSTA complies with HIPAA and FERPA-equivalent standards for training programs involving patient or student information.
Students must maintain confidentiality regarding all patient, classmate, or institutional information encountered during training.
Unauthorized disclosure may result in dismissal and potential legal action.
See Privacy Policy for complete and detailed policy.

9. Distance Learning and Online Courses

Students enrolled in hybrid or online programs must complete all digital modules, reading assignments, and quizzes within the prescribed time frame.
Students must verify course completion through TPSTA’s LMS declaration form.
Technical issues must be reported immediately; failure to complete online work is considered a nonattendance issue.

10. Grievance and Appeals Process

Students who believe they have been treated unfairly may file a written grievance following the official chain of command:

Instructor or Training Captain
Division Chief or Program Director
Assistant Chief
Director & Chief

Decisions by the Director & Chief or Medical Director are final and not subject to further appeal.

11. Readmission Policy

Students dismissed for academic failure or withdrawal may request readmission to the next available class, space permitting.
Readmission is limited to one occurrence and subject to review by a Readmission Committee.
Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons are not eligible for readmission.

12. Intellectual Property

All TPSTA educational content, including lectures, videos, exams, handbooks, and digital materials, are the intellectual property of Texas Public Safety Training Academy.
Unauthorized copying, reproduction, or distribution is strictly prohibited.

13. Website Usage

Users must not attempt to hack, scrape, or interfere with TPSTA’s website or online systems.
All information submitted via forms must be truthful and accurate.
TPSTA reserves the right to restrict or terminate access to its online systems for misuse or noncompliance.

14. Disclaimer of Warranties

All courses, materials, and online services are provided “as is.”
TPSTA makes no guarantees regarding certification eligibility, employment placement, or future licensure outcomes, which are determined by state and federal regulatory bodies.

15. Limitation of Liability (Texas Tort Claims Act)

15.1 TPSTA’s Status. Texas Public Safety Training Academy (“TPSTA”) is a nonprofit emergency service organization that engages in emergency response and related public-safety training. For purposes of Texas law, TPSTA is treated as a “governmental unit” (including as an “emergency service organization”) under the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA), Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.001 et seq.

15.2 Limited Waiver Only as Provided by Law. TPSTA’s sovereign/governmental immunity is waived only to the extent and in the manner expressly provided by the TTCA. No greater waiver is intended or implied by this Terms of Service, TPSTA policies, or participation in TPSTA programs.

15.3 Statutory Damage Caps. To the extent liability is permitted by the TTCA, TPSTA’s total monetary liability is capped as follows (or any successor statutory limits):

$100,000 per person and $300,000 per single occurrence for bodily injury or death; and
$100,000 per single occurrence for injury to or destruction of property.
(See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.023(d).)

15.4 No Exemplary/Punitive Damages. Exemplary (punitive) damages are not authorized against TPSTA under the TTCA. (See § 101.024.)

15.5 Employee/Agent Immunity and Election of Remedies.
(a) To the extent an individual employee or agent has immunity under law, it is preserved. (See § 101.026.)
(b) If a claimant files suit under the TTCA, the statute’s election-of-remedies provisions apply, including dismissal of suits against employees for acts within the scope of employment and substitution of TPSTA as the defendant where applicable. (See § 101.106.)

15.6 Substantive Limits and Exclusions. Except where the TTCA expressly provides otherwise, no liability exists for claims arising from or related to:

Emergency response actions of employees reacting to emergency calls or situations unless taken with conscious indifference or reckless disregard or in violation of applicable laws/ordinances. (See § 101.055(2).)
The failure to provide or the method of providing police or fire protection. (See § 101.055(3).)
Discretionary acts or decisions TPSTA is not legally required to perform. (See § 101.056.)
Premises claims where the TTCA limits the duty owed to that owed to a licensee (except for specified special defects/warnings). (See § 101.022.)
Traffic/road sign, signal, or warning device issues, subject to limited exceptions after notice. (See § 101.060.)
9-1-1 services unless an action violates an applicable statute or ordinance. (See § 101.062.)
Intentional torts (e.g., assault/battery, false imprisonment) and claims tied to civil disobedience/riot. (See § 101.057.)
Attractive nuisance theory. (See § 101.059.)

15.7 Covered Theories of Liability (When Applicable). If and only to the extent the TTCA permits, liability may arise from:

The operation or use of a motor-driven vehicle or motor-driven equipment by a TPSTA employee acting within the scope of employment; or
A condition or use of tangible personal or real property under circumstances where a private person would be liable under Texas law. (See § 101.021.)

15.8 Notice, Venue, and Procedure Requirements. Any claimant must comply with TTCA procedures, including but not limited to:

Written notice to TPSTA of the claim within six (6) months of the incident, reasonably describing the injury/damage, time/place, and the incident, unless TPSTA had actual notice as defined by statute. (See § 101.101.)
Filing suit in state court in the county where the cause of action arose and properly naming/serving the governmental unit. (See § 101.102.)
Failure to strictly comply with these requirements may bar the claim.

15.9 Insurance; Evidence of Insurance. TPSTA may purchase liability insurance as authorized by § 101.027; however, the existence or amount of such insurance is not admissible or discoverable in litigation except as permitted by law. (See § 101.104.)

15.10 Payment of Judgments. Any judgment against TPSTA is payable only as provided by the TTCA, including timing of payment, installment options where applicable, and limits tied to insurance coverage and budget constraints. (See § 101.107–.108.)

15.11 No Warranties; Program Risks. All training, programs, facilities, and services are provided “as is” and subject to the TTCA. Participation in public-safety training and emergency response activities involves inherent risks that each participant understands and voluntarily assumes to the maximum extent permitted by law and TPSTA policy.

15.12 Severability. If any portion of this Section 15 conflicts with the TTCA or other applicable law, it shall be construed to conform to such law without affecting the validity of the remaining provisions.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
Any dispute shall be handled through binding arbitration in Bastrop County, Texas.

17. Updates and Modifications

TPSTA reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Updates will be posted on the TPSTA website with a revised “Effective Date.” Continued enrollment or use of TPSTA services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

18. Contact Information

Texas Public Safety Training Academy (TPSTA)
298 Industrial Blvd, Bastrop, TX 78602
Phone: 737-881-8045
Email: admin@tpsta.org
Website: www.pstatx.com