TFCA members should be aware of how their department can collaborate with Red Cross to offer assistance to anyone who has suffered a home fire.  Click the button below to download the Home Fire Response Guide for Fire Departments.

Leading Into the Future
March 19-22, 2024 | Waco Convention Center

The Texas Fire Chiefs Association Annual Conference is the signature event of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association and is one of the state’s largest gatherings of fire chiefs, fire service leaders, and decision-makers.

The conference attracts hundreds of attendees from all regions of the state each year. Our attendees are fire chiefs, assistant fire chiefs, deputy chiefs, battalion chiefs, training officers, fire fighters, and city department executives who work together and get positive results. Come meet and network with top leaders in the fire service, learn from those who are foremost in their divisions who are winning awards and guiding others, and join in the tough discussions. Develop relationships which push through legislation and team up across borders to aid one another. Come witness and celebrate with those who have been called out and awarded valor and honor in the line of duty, and cheer for the one who has been nominated and will be name Fire Chief of the Year. You won’t want to miss it!

The Best Southwest Cities Emergency Management and Fire Training are hosting an Active Shooter Response Summit on March 6-7, 2024 at IBOC Church (7701 S Westmoreland Rd, Dallas, TX 75237). Police, Fire, Emergency Management, Dispatch, Hospital, ISD, and other public safety partners are invited to attend to hear firsthand from multiple agencies about active shooter incident response and recovery. The goal of this summit is to share lessons learned that attendees can put into practice in thier home agency to increase their preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities.
 

Presneted in Partnership with First H.E.L.P., co-hosted by the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office, and endorsed by the El Paso Fire Department, Cypress Creek Fire Department and Texas LODD Task Force, 1st Responder Conferences presents a multi-faceted two-day seminar and networking event for improving the mental health and wellness of our first responders. By discussing the real 21st Century issues our first responders and their families are continually facing, our conference will provide awareness, resources and action items to combat PTSD/PTSI, depression, suicide, addiction, stress, and overall mental health. The event will take place March 7-8, 2024 at the Wyndham El Paso Airport. Download the flyer and click the button below to register.

TPCA’s Officer Safety Committee, in a joint effort with the Risk Pool, provides training related to resiliency and critical incident interventions on a regular basis around the state. The content is broad enough to apply to all first responders and other departments that work in challenging environments that might take a toll on the employees. There is no charge to attend these programs and attendees do not have to be a member of the Risk Pool.Registration is required so we can account for all attendees.

Hutto Fire Rescue is proud to announce that we will be hosting an 8-hour workshop brought to you by the instructors and founders of Firefighter Functional Fitness.

This course was developed by Coalitions & Collaboratives, Inc and the USDA Forest Service and will be hosted in partnership with Texas A&M Forest Service. Created for current or future mitigation specialists, wildfire program leads, and others who work with residents and their communities to reduce wildfire risk, the Mitigation Best Practices training covers everything from effective communication to strategic wildfire planning. You will come out with the tools to help you engage with local communities and target which prevention strategies are effective.

This high-energy program will address the hottest issues and challenges that company officers face in today’s Fire Service. Topics include communication, trust, ethics, diversity, generational challenges, CISM, accountability, and social media to name just a few. Dates and locations have been announced for all the Company Officer Symposiums in 2024.  Click the button below learn more and to register.

In collaboration with CPSE, the Bryan Fire Department is pleased to invite you to the Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Workshop. This course features three full days of instruction to help agencies prepare for accreditation under the 10th edition of the CFAI^® model. It covers the development of the three key documents, the Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover, Strategic Plan, and Self-Assessment Manual. 

You and your significant other are invited to the Stronger Families: First Responder OXYGEN Couples Retreat, where you can savor some moments together, recharge, get expert input, and rekindle your love during these challenging times. This retreat includes one night at the Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio Seaworld-Westover Hills, two mid-day meals, and all sessions from the OXYGEN Program, a national program that has served over 80,000 from our U.S. Military & First Responder families. This is a great opportunity to get away together and gain some tools to make your relationship stronger!

The 4.5-day Battalion Chiefs Academy empowers aspiring and new Battalion Chiefs with strategic leadership skills. Focusing on guiding principles rather than tactical aspects, our comprehensive training equips participants to excel in their roles. Join us for a transformative learning experience, honing critical decision-making abilities and paving the way for success as fire service leaders.

SOURCE: U.S. Fire Administration
In 2022, there were 32 million incidents. At a minimum, 65% of them are emergency medical service-related responses.

SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs
The International Association of Fire Chiefs, in collaboration with Columbia Southern University, is happy to announce that the first series of online courses for Company Officers I – II – III is now available!

SOURCE: NBC 9 KTSM
“Can a wildfire jump the river? The answer is yes,” said McAllen Fire Chief Juan Gloria, expressing the importance of collaboration and open communication when a fire spreads across borders.

SOURCE: Longview News Journal
“He’s just like another father figure in the fire service. Those guys that have worked up under him … they’re going to keep his legacy pushing forward with that,” said Patrick Dooley, emergency manager and fire marshal for Rusk County.

SOURCE: Newsweek
Texas residents are rushing to help their local volunteer fire department as a series of devastating wildfires spread across the state panhandle early on Wednesday morning.

This update covers the following:
  • Texas Primary: Early Voting Begins
  • DIR Seeking Cybersecurity Projects for Funding Consideration
  • TWDB Opens Flood Infrastructure Fund Applications
  • TCEQ Seeks Input on Proposed Rulemaking to the Occupational Licensing Program
  • TML Risk Pool Publishes First Responder Injury/Illness Leave FAQ
  • Deadline Next Friday: Local Hotel Occupancy Reporting Requirements
  • Texas Restaurant Association Hosts Virtual Town Hall for Local Elected Officials
  • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup, hosts Brad and Curt discuss the termination of a Tampa firefighter for falsifying EMS training records; a negligence suit brought by a fire captain in Washington state for injuries sustained at a structure fire; a wrongful death suit against St. Louis over a delayed medic unit response; a contempt finding against a volunteer fire company in Ohio for failing to produce public records; and assault charges against an FDNY lieutenant over an altercation with a medic.