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 MEMBER NEWS
The TFCA Best Practices program provides a pathway for a fire department to push its level of service to a status of excellence that is validated by independent experts. This designation will demonstrate to customers that their fire department is among the very best in the Texas fire service. This program is applicable to paid, combination, and volunteer fire organizations. The TFCA encourages fire departments to pursue this third-party designation by completing the performance requirements outlined in the program. This will be a challenging but worthwhile endeavor for organizations pursuing this designation.
The Texas Fire Chiefs Association has endorsed San Bernadino County Fire Protection District Fire Chief Dan Munsey for IAFC 2nd Vice President. The TFCA encourages members who are IAFC members to vote during the election, being held May 14 through June 18. For more information regarding Chief Munsey and his platform, please click the button below.
TFCA encourages members to enter the 2024 Thought Leadership Essay Competition. The essay competition is not about reiterating known problems in the fire service, restating current doctrine, or drafting theoretical essays; it’s about offering original thought and identifying actions to address the specific root causes of institutional and interpersonal resistance. Thought-provoking essays will ignite discussions and challenge readers to understand & embrace their roles in a diverse and evolving fire service. We encourage new ideas to help foster a culture within the fire service that embraces both change and curiosity. Authors and readers of this essay should be motivated and challenged to act beyond the status quo using critical thinking concepts. We encourage participants to focus on the substance of their ideas and put personal experiences in context without spending too much of their essays on personal stories. We also encourage you to address impactful change at every level of the organization so that the proposed solutions have a broader reach and contribute to overall organizational improvement.
UPCOMING EVENTSDaniel E. DeYear, Deputy Chief (ret.) from Dallas Fire-Rescue will be teaching the next Company Officer Symposium on May 6-8 in Sugar Land. 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 to learn more and to register.
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!
For the most comprehensive fire training available, fire professionals choose the Annual Texas Fire Training Schools. Each year, thousands of fire service personnel from municipalities and industry participate in intensive, weeklong open-enrollment courses. Choosing to train during any of the fire schools enables participants to acquire new skills, meet with peers from around the globe, make new connections in the fire industry and to gain confidence from the best in hands-on emergency response training.
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.
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. May 7-8 | Rockwall Resilience Strategies for First Responders (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Moving Right of Bang: Critical Incident Early Intervention Strategies (8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) July 16-17 | Weatherford Moving Right of Bang: Critical Incident Early Intervention Strategies (1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Resilience Strategies for First Responders (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Aug. 21 | Harlingen
Resilience Strategies for First Responders (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
May 20-24 | Spring May 23-24 | San Angelo
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!
INDUSTRY NEWSSOURCE: U.S. Fire Administration
Public awareness of common fire risks like rapid progression is critical to saving lives and drastically reducing property loss.
SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs
The EPA has designated PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA, targeting known polluters for cleanup. However, local fire departments won't face enforcement due to their essential role and limited responsibility.
TEXAS STATE NEWSSOURCE: Local Profile
On April 15, Plano Fire-Rescue Fire Chief Chris Biggerstaff earned the esteemed Chief Fire Officer (CFO) title from the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC). This designation, granted during the CPC's meeting, places Chief Biggerstaff among a select group of 1,892 CFOs globally.
SOURCE: CBS 10 KFDA
Amarillo Fire Chief Jason Mays has reached his goal of creating a citizens' academy to connect with the local community. “It’s not just a job, it’s a calling. And it’s a calling where you’re serving your neighbors,” he says.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE NEWSTFCA is interested in learning about your legislative interests and concerns. Please take a moment to give us your thoughts on what the legislative committee can begin to develop as a list of topics. You can submit as many topics or issues as you would like, but please submit a new form for each topic so we can adequately capture and track the information. The approach to the interim session is as follows:
TCFP UPDATESRegistration Open for Upcoming Regional MeetingsTCFP offers “regional meetings” throughout the year in a variety of locations around the state. These meetings are opportunities for members of nearby fire departments and other regulated entities to meet some of our staff in person. We want to answer your questions, listen to your concerns, and give timely updates related to commission news. In addition, through a partnership with TEEX, CE will be awarded for your attendance at these meetings. For a list of all upcoming meeting dates, visit the Regional Meetings webpage. TML NEWS
TEEX NEWS
FIRE LAW BLOGHONORING OUR CRAFT
SOURCE: National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) May 19-25 marks the 50TH anniversary of National EMS Week, a time to show gratitude toward EMTs and paramedics who provide lifesaving care across the nation every day. This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Past, Forging Our Future.” NAEMT is partnering with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to encourage the nationwide recognition of EMS Week and the contributions of EMS professionals. EMS Week is also an opportunity to educate the public about EMS and what emergency services provide for the community. Ahead of EMS Week, be sure to check out NAEMT’s resources to learn how you can participate.
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This 4-hour class will introduce responders to the hazards presented by lithium-ion batteries. Chris Pfaff will present a short history on the problem and why these fires are so difficult to put out, as well as provide tools for safely and effectively responding to emergencies. Classes are being held in San Angelo and Spring, TX. Visit the links below for more information. 
