# SOUTHWEST FIRE CONFERENCE 2027

## SUPPLEMENTAL HANDS-ON TRAINING RELEASE, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, PPE CERTIFICATION, LIMITED INDEMNITY, AND SAFETY AGREEMENT

**January 21-23, 2027**
**El Paso Convention Center**
**One Civic Center Plaza, El Paso, Texas 79901**

**Legal Organizer: El Paso Firefighters Foundation**

**Document Version: SWFC-HOT-2027-02**
**Revision Date: August 20, 2026**

# WARNING AND IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE

**HANDS-ON FIRE-SERVICE TRAINING INVOLVES PHYSICAL EXERTION, FIREFIGHTER PPE, TOOLS, TRAINING PROPS, AND OTHER CONDITIONS CAPABLE OF CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY, PERMANENT DISABILITY, OR DEATH.**

**THIS AGREEMENT EXPRESSLY RELEASES CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, INCLUDING THEIR OWN NEGLIGENT ACTS OR OMISSIONS.**

**THIS AGREEMENT ALSO CONTAINS A PARTICIPANT PPE CERTIFICATION AND A LIMITED INDEMNITY OBLIGATION FOR CERTAIN CLAIMS CAUSED BY YOUR OWN CONDUCT, EQUIPMENT, OR MATERIAL BREACH OF THAT CERTIFICATION.**

**READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING.**

## 1. Participant

**Participant Legal Name:** [REGFOX REGISTRANT / WAIVER RECORD]

**Registration/Ticket ID:** [REGFOX REGISTRANT / WAIVER RECORD]

**HOT Course or Courses Selected:** [REGFOX REGISTRATION RECORD]

This Agreement is executed by and attributable to the individual registrant identified by the Participant Legal Name and unique Registration/Ticket ID associated with the electronic RegFox registration and waiver record.

If the registration platform does not display the Participant Legal Name within the body of the signed waiver, the Participant Legal Name contained in the associated individual registrant record is incorporated into this Agreement solely for purposes of identifying the person executing it.

I represent that I am at least eighteen years of age, legally competent to execute this Agreement, and personally signing on my own behalf.

## 2. Relationship to General Conference Release

I have executed, or as a condition of participation will execute, the **Southwest Fire Conference 2027 Adult Participant Release, Assumption of Risk, Limited Indemnity, and Covenant Not to Sue**, referred to in this Agreement as the General Release.

The General Release remains applicable to my participation in Hands-On Training.

This Supplemental Agreement adds terms specifically applicable to Southwest Fire Conference Hands-On Training, referred to as **“HOT Activities.”**

Neither Agreement cancels the other.

## 3. HOT Activities and Location

HOT Activities include the Hands-On Training course or courses for which I am properly registered, together with authorized orientation, safety briefings, staging, demonstrations, training stations, equipment use, movement between stations, and other training activity specifically directed by authorized HOT personnel.

HOT Activities are scheduled to occur at authorized training areas within or associated with:

**El Paso Convention Center / Judson F. Williams Convention Center**
**One Civic Center Plaza**
**El Paso, Texas 79901**

My selected HOT course or courses will be maintained in my electronic Conference registration record.

The final course-specific activities, instructors, prerequisites, PPE requirements, and additional hazards applicable to each HOT course shall be identified in Schedule B before the participant signs the version applicable to that course.

## 4. Released Parties

The Released Parties identified in the version of the General Release executed by me are Released Parties under this Supplemental Agreement to the extent applicable to HOT Activities.

Those parties include, as applicable:

* El Paso Firefighters Foundation;
* members of the authorized Southwest Fire Conference organizing committee;
* City of El Paso, Texas;
* El Paso Fire Department;
* **ChucoTownF.O.O.L.S.**;
* the applicable El Paso Convention Center venue-management or operating entity identified in Schedule A of the General Release;
* specifically identified HOT instructors;
* specifically identified instructor business entities and training providers; and
* other persons or entities specifically identified in Schedule A.

The protection afforded to **ChucoTownF.O.O.L.S.** includes its officers, members, authorized volunteers, agents, and representatives while acting in connection with Southwest Fire Conference 2027.

Each Released Party is an intended third-party beneficiary entitled to independently enforce provisions applicable to that Released Party.

TEEX is treated as provided in Section 19.

## 5. Nature of Hands-On Fire-Service Training

I understand that HOT Activities are intended to reproduce or simulate physical tasks, equipment use, operational problems, restricted movement, and other challenges associated with fire-service operations.

Training conditions can change rapidly.

Equipment can move, bind, slip, break, fail, recoil, fall, shift, or become unstable. Equipment and activity can create impact, cutting, puncture, pinch, crush, entanglement, fall, strain, and other hazards.

Participants and instructors can lose balance, become fatigued, miscommunicate, make errors, or react unexpectedly.

A controlled training environment reduces some hazards but does not eliminate the possibility of serious injury, permanent disability, or death.

## 6. Specific Risks Acknowledged

Depending on the HOT course selected, risks may include physical exertion and physiological stress; structural firefighter PPE limitations; slips, trips, falls, climbing and movement hazards; fire-service tools, equipment, and props; contact with participants and instructors; equipment failure or deterioration; and hazards specific to the selected course.

These risks may include lifting, carrying, dragging, crawling, climbing, pushing, pulling, striking, repetitive movement, awkward positions, fatigue, dehydration, heat stress, restricted movement, reduced vision or dexterity, moving or falling equipment, sharp edges, blunt-force hazards, stored energy, pinch points, crush points, accidental impact, communication errors, improper equipment fit, equipment malfunction, and other conditions disclosed through Schedule B or the required safety briefing.

These hazards can cause strains, sprains, fractures, crushing injuries, lacerations, punctures, burns when thermal hazards exist, eye injury, hearing injury, respiratory injury, heat illness, cardiac injury, neurological injury, permanent impairment, paralysis, or death.

I understand that no written list can identify every hazard that may arise during realistic fire-service training.

## 7. Mandatory Structural Firefighter PPE

Unless a specific HOT course imposes an additional requirement, each HOT participant must report with a complete structural firefighter PPE ensemble consisting of:

* firefighter helmet;
* protective hood;
* structural firefighting coat;
* structural firefighting pants;
* appropriate eye protection;
* structural firefighting boots; and
* structural firefighting gloves.

Additional PPE, respiratory protection, SCBA, or specialized equipment may be required for a particular HOT course and will be identified in the applicable course requirements or Schedule B.

## 8. PARTICIPANT CERTIFICATION OF PPE CONDITION, INSPECTION, AND SERVICE ELIGIBILITY

**BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT AND PRESENTING PPE FOR USE IN A HOT ACTIVITY, I PERSONALLY CERTIFY THE FOLLOWING:**

**1. EACH ITEM OF PPE I BRING TO THE TRAINING IS CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED FOR OPERATIONAL OR TRAINING SERVICE BY MY FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMPLOYER, AGENCY, OR OTHER RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATION.**

**2. NO PPE ELEMENT I BRING FOR USE HAS BEEN RETIRED, CONDEMNED, REMOVED FROM SERVICE, OR KNOWINGLY PLACED OUT OF SERVICE.**

**3. THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE OF EACH APPLICABLE PPE ELEMENT PLACES THAT ELEMENT WITHIN THE SERVICE-LIFE OR RETIREMENT REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE EQUIPMENT.**

**4. REQUIRED INSPECTIONS, CLEANING, MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, AND SERVICE RECORDS APPLICABLE TO MY PPE ARE CURRENT TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY MY ORGANIZATION, THE MANUFACTURER, AND APPLICABLE FIRE-SERVICE STANDARDS.**

**5. CURRENT INSPECTION OR SERVICE DOCUMENTATION EXISTS OR IS MAINTAINED BY THE RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATION WHERE SUCH DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED, EVEN THOUGH SOUTHWEST FIRE CONFERENCE DOES NOT REQUIRE ME TO PRESENT THAT DOCUMENTATION AT REGISTRATION OR CHECK-IN UNLESS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED.**

**6. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THE PPE I PRESENT FOR USE SATISFIES THE NFPA REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ITS CERTIFICATION, SELECTION, CARE, INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, RETIREMENT, AND IN-SERVICE STATUS, INCLUDING NFPA 1970 AND NFPA 1850 TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE TO THE EQUIPMENT AND ACTIVITY.**

**7. THE PPE I PRESENT IS CLEAN, DRY, AND FREE FROM KNOWN HAZARDOUS CONTAMINATION THAT WOULD MAKE IT UNSUITABLE TO BRING INTO THE CONVENTION CENTER OR USE DURING THE TRAINING.**

**8. I HAVE NOT KNOWINGLY CONCEALED A DEFECT, DAMAGE, CONTAMINATION ISSUE, EXPIRED SERVICE STATUS, FAILED INSPECTION, OR OTHER CONDITION THAT WOULD MATERIALLY AFFECT THE SAFE USE OF MY PPE.**

## 9. Reliance on Participant PPE Certification

I understand that the El Paso Firefighters Foundation, Southwest Fire Conference organizers, ChucoTownF.O.O.L.S., instructors, the City of El Paso, El Paso Fire Department, venue personnel, and other Released Parties are entitled to rely on the certifications I make concerning PPE that I supply.

Conference or instructor personnel may conduct a visual or cursory safety screening and may prohibit the use of equipment that appears damaged, contaminated, expired, unsuitable, or inconsistent with course requirements.

**A VISUAL OR CURSORY SCREENING BY A RELEASED PARTY IS NOT AN NFPA ADVANCED INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, WARRANTY, OR REPRESENTATION THAT PARTICIPANT-SUPPLIED PPE IS SAFE, COMPLIANT, PROPERLY MAINTAINED, OR SUITABLE FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE.**

I remain responsible for the condition, history, service eligibility, inspection status, maintenance, proper fit, and safe use of PPE that I supply.

Nothing in this section prevents a Released Party from refusing equipment or participation based on a reasonable safety concern.

## 10. Participant Qualifications

I am responsible for determining whether I satisfy the prerequisites published for each HOT course I select.

I represent that I possess the knowledge, training, experience, or supervision reasonably necessary to safely wear the required firefighter PPE and participate in the activities for which I register.

I will not knowingly participate in an activity for which I lack a published prerequisite, required PPE element, required training, or required physical capability.

Acceptance of my registration does not constitute medical screening, certification of physical fitness, verification of professional qualification, or certification of participant-supplied PPE.

## 11. Personal Physical Responsibility

I am responsible for determining whether my physical condition permits me to participate safely.

If I experience chest pain, severe shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, unusual weakness, heat-illness symptoms, injury, equipment failure, or another condition indicating that continued participation may be unsafe, I will stop and notify an instructor or safety representative.

I may voluntarily withdraw from an evolution when I believe I cannot continue safely.

## 12. PPE, Tools, Equipment, and Training Props

I will use required PPE and safety equipment as directed.

I will use tools, props, equipment, and training structures only as authorized.

I will not intentionally alter, bypass, disable, defeat, remove, or misuse a required safety device.

I will report equipment that appears damaged, defective, improperly fitted, contaminated, or unsafe.

Authorized Conference or training personnel may remove equipment from service or prohibit its use when a safety concern exists.

## 13. Safety Instructions and Stop-Training Authority

I agree to follow lawful safety instructions issued by instructors, designated safety personnel, Conference officials, venue personnel, and other authorized persons.

Any authorized instructor, safety representative, or Conference official may pause or terminate an evolution or remove a participant when that person reasonably believes an unsafe condition exists.

I will immediately stop an activity when directed to stop.

I will not engage in horseplay, unauthorized demonstrations, unsupervised equipment use, or activity outside the scope of my assigned evolution.

I will not participate while impaired by alcohol, an illegal drug, misuse of medication, or another condition that materially impairs safe performance.

## 14. Assumption of HOT Risks

I knowingly and voluntarily assume the inherent risks associated with the HOT Activities I select.

To the fullest extent permitted by Texas law, I also accept risks resulting from my own conduct, the conduct of other participants or third parties, the condition of PPE or equipment I personally supply, and risks resulting from the ordinary negligence of a Released Party to the extent expressly released in Section 15.

Nothing in this Agreement requires me to assume or release conduct that applicable law does not permit to be prospectively released.

## 15. EXPRESS RELEASE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES' OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE

**NOTICE: THIS SECTION RELEASES THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM LIABILITY FOR THEIR OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE.**

**TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY TEXAS LAW, I KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY RELEASE, WAIVE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE EACH RELEASED PARTY FROM CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL INJURY, BODILY INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR OTHER LOSS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO HOT ACTIVITIES WHEN THE CLAIM IS CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF THAT RELEASED PARTY, INCLUDING THAT RELEASED PARTY'S OWN NEGLIGENT ACTS OR OMISSIONS.**

**THIS RELEASE EXPRESSLY INCLUDES ORDINARY-NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO:**

* **DESIGN, SELECTION, PREPARATION, SETUP, CONDITION, INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, CONTROL, OR USE OF TRAINING AREAS, PREMISES, PROPS, TOOLS, MACHINERY, OR EQUIPMENT;**
* **NEGLIGENT INSTRUCTION OR SUPERVISION;**
* **FAILURE TO WARN OF A HAZARD;**
* **NEGLIGENT COURSE DESIGN OR OPERATION;**
* **NEGLIGENT MONITORING OF A PARTICIPANT OR TRAINING EVOLUTION;**
* **NEGLIGENT SELECTION, HIRING, RETENTION, TRAINING, OR SUPERVISION OF AN INSTRUCTOR, CONTRACTOR, EMPLOYEE, AGENT, OR VOLUNTEER;**
* **NEGLIGENT ENFORCEMENT OF SAFETY RULES;**
* **ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE ASSOCIATED WITH A VISUAL OR CURSORY REVIEW OF PARTICIPANT-SUPPLIED PPE;**
* **ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SELECTION, SCHEDULING, COORDINATION, OR SUPPORT OF A THIRD-PARTY TRAINING PROVIDER; AND**
* **ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE IN SUMMONING, ARRANGING, OR COORDINATING REASONABLE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.**

**I SPECIFICALLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THIS RELEASE IS INTENDED TO APPLY EVEN WHEN I CLAIM THAT A RELEASED PARTY'S OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO MY INJURY, DEATH, DAMAGE, OR LOSS.**

## 16. Participant-Supplied PPE Claims

To the fullest extent permitted by Texas law, the release in Section 15 applies to an ordinary-negligence claim based on an allegation that a Released Party failed to discover, identify, warn about, or prevent a defect, maintenance problem, inspection deficiency, service-life issue, contamination issue, improper fit, or other condition involving PPE supplied by me.

This provision does not create a duty on the part of a Released Party to inspect, certify, approve, or maintain participant-supplied PPE.

## 17. Premises and Conference-Supplied Equipment Claims

To the fullest extent permitted by Texas law, the release in Section 15 applies to ordinary-negligence and premises-liability theories involving authorized HOT training areas at the El Paso Convention Center.

It also applies to ordinary-negligence theories involving the selection, setup, inspection, maintenance, provision, adjustment, or use of Conference-supplied or instructor-supplied tools, equipment, and training props.

Nothing in this section creates or concedes ownership, possession, control, duty, defect, or liability.

## 18. LIMITED INDEMNITY FOR PARTICIPANT-CAUSED CLAIMS AND PPE MISREPRESENTATIONS

**NOTICE: THIS SECTION MAY REQUIRE YOU TO PAY CERTAIN LOSSES, CLAIMS, OR DEFENSE COSTS CAUSED BY YOUR OWN CONDUCT OR MATERIAL BREACH OF YOUR PPE CERTIFICATIONS.**

**TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, I AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH RELEASED PARTY FROM THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS, DAMAGES, JUDGMENTS, REASONABLE SETTLEMENTS, AND REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES OR DEFENSE COSTS TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY:**

* **MY NEGLIGENT, RECKLESS, INTENTIONAL, OR UNAUTHORIZED ACT OR OMISSION;**
* **MY FAILURE TO FOLLOW A MATERIAL SAFETY INSTRUCTION;**
* **MY UNAUTHORIZED USE OR MISUSE OF A TOOL, PROP, PREMISES, PPE, VEHICLE, OR OTHER EQUIPMENT;**
* **MY PARTICIPATION IN AN ACTIVITY FOR WHICH I KNOWINGLY LACK A REQUIRED PREREQUISITE OR AUTHORIZATION;**
* **A MATERIAL FALSE STATEMENT MADE BY ME CONCERNING PARTICIPANT-SUPPLIED PPE; OR**
* **A MATERIAL BREACH OF THE PPE CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN SECTION 8.**

**THIS INDEMNITY APPLIES ONLY TO THE EXTENT A CLAIM OR LOSS IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO MY OWN CONDUCT, EQUIPMENT, FALSE STATEMENT, OR BREACH.**

**THIS SECTION DOES NOT REQUIRE ME TO INDEMNIFY A RELEASED PARTY FOR LIABILITY ATTRIBUTABLE SOLELY TO THAT RELEASED PARTY'S OWN NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT.**

If a claim involves conduct attributed both to me and to a Released Party, my contractual responsibility under this section is limited to the portion attributable to my conduct, equipment, false statement, or breach to the extent permitted by applicable law.

## 19. TEEX Activities and Separate TEEX Agreement

I understand that TEEX may conduct or assist with a HOT Activity associated with Southwest Fire Conference.

TEEX may require its own participant registration, release, liability agreement, safety agreement, or other documentation.

I agree to execute any TEEX agreement required as a condition of participating in a TEEX activity.

The TEEX agreement and this Agreement are independent agreements.

Nothing in this Agreement modifies, supersedes, reduces, enlarges, interprets, or replaces a TEEX agreement.

TEEX is not a Released Party under this Agreement unless TEEX is expressly included in the applicable version of Schedule A presented to me when I sign.

The release granted to SWFC Released Parties remains applicable to the fullest extent permitted by law to their own roles in selecting, arranging, scheduling, coordinating, hosting, supporting, providing premises for, or otherwise assisting with a TEEX activity.

Execution of a TEEX agreement does not release me from the obligations I owe to the SWFC Released Parties under this Agreement.

## 20. Insurance Responsibility

I understand that HOT Activities can result in bodily injury, medical expense, disability, lost income, property damage, or death.

I am responsible for determining whether health insurance, accident insurance, workers' compensation, employer or departmental coverage, personal insurance, or another form of coverage applies to me while participating.

Registration or acceptance into a HOT Activity does not constitute a representation or guarantee that a particular insurance policy will pay a loss.

I am responsible for obtaining any personal coverage I consider appropriate.

Nothing in this section constitutes a representation concerning the existence, absence, scope, or limits of insurance maintained by a Released Party.

## 21. Claims Not Released

This Agreement does not purport to release a claim to the extent applicable Texas law prohibits its prospective release.

Without creating a cause of action or admitting that prohibited conduct occurred, the release does not extend to liability finally determined to arise from gross negligence, reckless conduct, willful misconduct, intentional misconduct, or another category of liability that applicable law does not permit to be prospectively released.

All defenses available to a Released Party remain preserved concerning any claim outside the contractual release.

## 22. Covenant Not to Sue

I covenant that I will not file, initiate, maintain, or voluntarily assist in prosecuting a civil claim against a Released Party to the extent the claim is validly released under this Agreement or the General Release.

This covenant does not prevent assertion of a claim that applicable law does not permit me to release.

## 23. Medical Assistance

If I am injured or incapacitated and cannot provide consent, I authorize Conference personnel to summon or arrange reasonable emergency medical assistance or transportation based on the circumstances reasonably known at the time.

Nothing in this Agreement creates a contractual obligation to provide on-site medical treatment, continuous monitoring, ambulance transportation, or a specified level of care.

Unless another person or entity is legally responsible under a claim that has not been validly released, I remain responsible for medical or transportation expenses attributable to me.

## 24. No Warranty or Guarantee of Safety

I understand that instructors, safety personnel, course briefings, PPE requirements, equipment screening, inspections of Conference-supplied equipment, training controls, and safety rules are risk-control measures.

No representation that a course, facility, prop, tool, piece of equipment, or evolution is ready, approved, controlled, inspected, or safe constitutes a warranty or guarantee that injury cannot occur.

## 25. Governmental Immunity and Statutory Defenses

**NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES OR SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS A WAIVER OF GOVERNMENTAL, SOVEREIGN, OFFICIAL, STATUTORY, OR OTHER IMMUNITY AVAILABLE TO THE CITY OF EL PASO, THE EL PASO FIRE DEPARTMENT, OR THEIR OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES.**

Nothing in this Agreement creates consent to suit, creates a governmental duty that would not otherwise exist, or expands an existing waiver of immunity.

All jurisdictional defenses, statutory exceptions, notice requirements, election-of-remedies provisions, liability limitations, damage caps, privileges, immunities, and other defenses remain preserved.

## 26. Wrongful Death, Survival, Estate, and Derivative Claims

I intend the lawful release of my own claims to bind my estate, personal representative, successors, and, to the extent permitted by Texas law, persons asserting claims legally derivative of rights I possessed immediately before injury or death.

This Agreement does not independently waive a truly independent claim belonging solely to another person when applicable law does not permit me to waive that claim.

## 27. Electronic Signature, Identity, and Evidentiary Record

I consent to execute this Agreement electronically and intend my electronic signature to have the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.

I agree that the individual RegFox registrant record, HOT selection record, waiver record, and electronic signature record associated with my unique Registration/Ticket ID collectively identify me and the HOT activity or activities for which I executed this Agreement.

I agree that information recorded in connection with execution may be preserved and used to authenticate this Agreement and my assent, including:

* participant legal name;
* registration and ticket identifiers;
* HOT course selections;
* date and time of execution;
* electronic signature;
* IP address;
* device information;
* browser or operating-system information;
* document version; and
* other authentication information maintained by the registration platform.

I certify that the Participant Legal Name associated with my individual registration record identifies me.

I certify that I am personally executing this Agreement and that another person has not signed for me.

## 28. Document Version, Course Changes, and Re-Execution

The document-version identifier displayed on this Agreement is part of the electronic record of my assent.

The El Paso Firefighters Foundation shall maintain, or cause the registration platform to maintain, a record sufficient to identify the version of this Agreement and Schedule B presented when I signed.

If a HOT course is materially changed after I execute this Agreement, including a material change in the instructor, training provider, principal activity, required PPE, training location, or hazard profile, I may be required to execute a revised Agreement or course schedule before participating.

An instructor, business entity, training provider, or other Released Party added after I sign does not receive protection based solely on a later addition unless applicable law otherwise permits such protection or I execute a version incorporating that person or entity.

## 29. Texas Law and Venue

Texas law governs this Agreement.

For a claim that is not barred and over which a court possesses jurisdiction, venue shall lie in a court of competent jurisdiction in El Paso County, Texas, to the extent permitted by mandatory jurisdiction and venue law.

Nothing in this section waives a jurisdictional, immunity, or venue defense otherwise available to a Released Party.

## 30. Severability and Preservation of Defenses

The express ordinary-negligence release contained in Section 15 and the limited indemnity contained in Section 18 are intended to operate as independent contractual provisions.

If a provision is held invalid or unenforceable, it shall be severed or limited only to the minimum extent necessary under applicable law.

The remaining provisions continue to the fullest extent permitted by law.

No provision waives a separate statutory, contractual, common-law, jurisdictional, governmental-immunity, or other defense possessed by a Released Party.

## 31. Participant's Final Acknowledgment and Certification

**BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, I ACKNOWLEDGE, REPRESENT, AND CERTIFY THAT:**

**I AM AT LEAST EIGHTE YEARS OLD AND LEGALLY COMPETENT TO SIGN;**

**THE PARTICIPANT LEGAL NAME AND REGISTRATION/TICKET ID ASSOCIATED WITH MY INDIVIDUAL REGFOX RECORD IDENTIFY ME AS THE PERSON EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT;**

**I UNDERSTAND THAT HANDS-ON FIRE-SERVICE TRAINING CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY, PERMANENT DISABILITY, OR DEATH;**

**I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT OR HAD A FULL OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW IT BEFORE SIGNING;**

**I UNDERSTAND THE RISKS DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT;**

**I UNDERSTAND THAT SECTION 15 EXPRESSLY RELEASES THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM CLAIMS CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THEIR OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE;**

**I UNDERSTAND THAT SECTION 18 CREATES A LIMITED INDEMNITY OBLIGATION FOR CERTAIN THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS AND LOSSES CAUSED BY MY OWN CONDUCT, EQUIPMENT, FALSE STATEMENTS, OR MATERIAL BREACH OF MY PPE CERTIFICATIONS;**

**I PERSONALLY MAKE THE PPE CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN SECTION 8;**

**I UNDERSTAND THAT I MAY BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE OR CONFIRM PPE INFORMATION IF A SAFETY ISSUE ARISES, EVEN THOUGH ROUTINE PRODUCTION OF INSPECTION RECORDS IS NOT REQUIRED;**

**I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING WHAT INSURANCE COVERAGE, IF ANY, APPLIES TO ME;**

**I AGREE TO FOLLOW THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO MY HOT COURSE;**

**I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM GIVING UP LEGAL RIGHTS THAT I OTHERWISE MIGHT HAVE;**

**I AM SIGNING VOLUNTARILY; AND**

**I INTEND MY ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE TO BE LEGALLY BINDING.**

**Participant Legal Name:** [REGFOX REGISTRANT / WAIVER RECORD]

**HOT Course or Courses:** [REGFOX REGISTRATION RECORD]

**Electronic Signature:** [REGFOX WAIVER SIGNATURE]

**Date and Time:** [REGFOX WAIVER RECORD]

**Registration/Ticket ID:** [REGFOX REGISTRANT / WAIVER RECORD]

**Document Version:** SWFC-HOT-2027-02

---

# SCHEDULE B

## HOT COURSES AND COURSE-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

**The version of Schedule B presented to a participant at the time of signature must be preserved with the executed Agreement.**

Schedule B shall be completed from the final Southwest Fire Conference 2027 HOT roster before the applicable HOT course is opened for final waiver execution.

### [HOT COURSE TITLE]

**Lead Instructor:**
[NAME]

**Training Provider or Legal Business Entity:**
[ENTITY]

**Training Location:**
El Paso Convention Center
One Civic Center Plaza
El Paso, Texas 79901

**Principal Activities:**
[FINAL COURSE ACTIVITIES]

**Additional Course-Specific Hazards:**
[FINAL COURSE-SPECIFIC HAZARDS]

### Baseline Required Structural Firefighter PPE

* firefighter helmet;
* protective hood;
* structural firefighting coat;
* structural firefighting pants;
* appropriate eye protection;
* structural firefighting boots; and
* structural firefighting gloves.

**Additional Course-Specific PPE or Equipment:**
[IF APPLICABLE]

**SCBA Requirement:**
[YES / NO / PROVIDED / PARTICIPANT-SUPPLIED]

**Additional Prerequisites or Participation Restrictions:**
[FINAL REQUIREMENTS]

Repeat this structure for each HOT course.