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!

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.

The Texas Fire Chiefs 2024 Spring Academy will take place from Monday, June 3 to Friday, June 7 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North. Quickly becoming a desired/required credential for fire chief positions throughout the state, the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy is a comprehensive training opportunity for current fire chiefs and those who aspire to be fire chiefs. Current chiefs and executive officers are especially encouraged to attend. Graduates of the Academy receive the Certified Fire Executive or CFE professional designation. Your department may qualify for up to $575 of funding that could go toward tuition!

SOURCE: NFPA
The 2024 edition of the NFPA Fire Code mandates in-building emergency responder communication enhancement systems (ERCES) if radio signal strength is inadequate.

SOURCE: U.S. Fire Administration
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released the second part of a four-part study to identify a firefighter’s relative risk of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) released from their protective gear.

SOURCE: FOX 4 KDFW 
"To see one of our chiefs, a first responder, working to battle flames and losing his life in the line of duty is something we never want to see," Gov. Abbott said.

SOURCE: FOX Weather
The Smokehouse Creek Fire, which broke out north of the town of Stinnett, continues to rage across the region after quickly exploding in size, becoming the largest wildfire in Texas state history in a matter of days.

SOURCE: Wildfire Today
Fires in Texas and Oklahoma have burned so much land that the blackened ground is visible in satellite imagery taken from space.

The Texas primary election was held on March 5. The Texas Tribune reported the full election results here. In this article, TFCA Legislative Consultant Adam Burklund with Burklund Consulting provides a more thorough analysis of the primary elections, summarizing the relevant takeaways.

At the Feb. 29 meeting, the Texas Commission on Fire Protection approved new internal policies and established an ad hoc committee in order to fill vacant seats on the three standing committees. Click the button below for the full update.

This update covers the following:
  • Texas Set to Receive $358M for Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Infrastructure
  • Disaster Declaration Issued for Wildfires
  • Governor Invites Communities to Film Friendly Texas Forum
  • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup, hosts Curt Varone and Bill Maccarone discuss a lawsuit challenging a large budget increase levied by a fire district in New York; the settlement of a wrongful death suit brought by the family of a homeless woman run over by a fire truck; a ruling upholding the Cleveland Fire Department’s ban of facial hair at the SCBA interface; an $80 settlement by a California utility with the US Forest Service over damages and costs associated with the Thomas Fire; and a decision by an arbitrator to reinstate two previously terminated firefighters accused of failing to enter a medical facility in California.

SOURCE: National Volunteer Fire Council
“Volunteer fire departments are the backbone of their communities. It is the NVFC’s mission to support our nation’s firefighters, and we’re thankful to partners like Nutella for helping us honor their service and provide much-needed funding for critical resources, like new gear and equipment, that enable firefighters to respond to emergencies safely and effectively,” said NVFC chair Steve Hirsch.

Randy Bruegman, former fire chief and founder of the Crucible Leadership Foundation, talks with Richard Meraz, who spent 43 years in the Los Angeles Police Department and battled corruption and learning valuable lessons on resiliency and leadership. His insights will challenge your perspective and inspire a new approach to leadership.