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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 EVENTSFor 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 NEWS
TEXAS STATE NEWSSOURCE: Office of the Texas Governor, Greg Abbott
"I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster," the proclamation states.
SOURCE: KXAN NBC
University of Texas students worked to create FireBot, a robot aiding in firefighter search and rescues. Tested by fire departments, it aims to provide critical situational awareness in hazardous scenarios.
SOURCE: Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)
“When disaster strikes, Texans rely on servant leaders to provide support during those greatest times of need, and I am grateful that this group will join the ranks of emergency management professionals capable of offering that support,” said Chief Kidd.
SOURCE: 12newsnow ABC NBC
Former Port Arthur Fire Chief Greg Benson says he was given a severance package and is not planning to take any legal action against the city. Port Arthur has named Deputy Chief Robert Havens as interim.
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 NEWSThis update covers the following:
• Comptroller Proposes to Readopt Local Sales Tax Sourcing Rules; New Public Hearing Set • Initial Proposal of Broadband Program Approved • May 1 Deadline for Municipal Courts to Adopt Confidentiality Policy • House Select Committee Interim Hearings • Reminder: SLFRF Reporting Due Tuesday • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update
TEEX NEWS
FIRE LAW BLOGHONORING OUR CRAFT
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and the American College of Emergency Physicians are partnering to present EMS week on May 19-25. This year, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of EMS Week by honoring our past and recognizing the contributions of each generation. EMS Week also aims to inspire EMS clinicians who are just starting out and those who have yet to discover their interest in EMS. EMS Week is about learning from the challenges and building on the successes of the last five decades. It’s about forging our future—a future in which the next generation has the tools they need to deliver compassionate care and alleviate suffering in communities everywhere. Click the button below to learn more about EMS Week and to access educational and promotional materials that can help you 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. 
