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 MEMBER NEWSAll IAFC members should have received their emailed ballots for this year’s election, which opened on May 14, from the email address noreply@directvote.net. Please check your spam folder to ensure the ballot did not end up there. If you did not receive a ballot or are having trouble voting, we recommend you contact support@directvote.net, and for any IAFC-specific questions, you can reach out to elections@iafc.org.
By Fire Chief Scott D. Kernwood
Right on cue, it is that time again. It is election season! And wow, is it shaping up to be a wild one. Our homes and fire departments are being bombarded with emails, flyers, and other literature about candidates in our cities, counties, regions, and Texas. They are soliciting each of us for our vote and endorsement, telling us what they will do and will not do if elected to office. They also tell us why they are the better candidate instead of their opponent. But we know that it is up to us as citizens to do our own research on each candidate and not take the word of another person to decide for us or tell us who to vote for. 
UPCOMING EVENTSTPCA’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. 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.)
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.
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 TXFD Facilities Conference gathers Teas fire department logistics and facilities maintenance peers, professionals and planners, as well as leading industry consultants from around the state and beyond to discuss facilities best practices, innovations, renovations, and maintenance challenges specific to fire stations and to Texas. Please register and book hotels as soon as possible, as space is limited!
Presented by 1st Responder Conferences in Partnership with First HELP and ICISF, Inc. and co-hosted by the Cypress Creek Fire Department, this training is for current and retired first responders, police, fire, military/veterans, corrections, dispatchers, chaplains, spouses, professional staff, clinicians, and all who work in the public safety field. This multi-faceted two-day seminar and networking event is designed to improve the mental health and wellness of first responders by discussing the real issues that first responders and their families are currently facing. Our conference will provide awareness, resources, and action items to combat PTSD/PTSI, depression, suicide, addiction, stress, and overall mental health.
INDUSTRY NEWS
TEXAS STATE NEWSSOURCE: FireRescue1
Dozens of off-duty Frisco firefighters have been working to take care of each other and neighbors after the EF-3 tornado hit their neighborhood.
SOURCE: EMS1
“Stepping into the role of fire chief for the city of Burleson is a profound honor and a dream realized,” Casey Davis said.
SOURCE: Hoodline Dallas
Congratulations to White Settlement Fire Chief Rick Sanderson, who has completed the rigorous CEO Program at TEEX and earned the FSCEO designation.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE NEWSBy TFCA Lobbyists, Randy Cain and Adam Burklund
With nearly all election results in, only two of the eight Republican House incumbents won their runoffs. As noted, Speaker Phelan (R-Beaumont) won his race, as did Rep. Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston). Losing their races were incumbents Justin Holland (R-Rockwall), John Kuempel (R-Seguin), DeWayne Burns (R-Cleburne), Frederick Frazier (R-McKinney), Lynn Stucky (R-Denton) and Stephanie Klick (R-North Richland Hills). Incumbent Houston House Democrat Shawn Thierry also lost her race.
TFCA 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:
TML NEWSThis update covers the following:
• TCOLE Proposes New Rules Regarding Active Shooter Response Training and Peace Officer Service • Report Database • Senate Committee Interim Hearings • House Select Committee Releases Interim Report on LNG Exports • Texas Demographic Center Annual Conference on May 29 and 30 • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update
TEEX NEWS
FIRE LAW BLOG
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup, hosts Brad and Curt discuss a variety of cases, including a firefighter charged with federal identity theft, a discrimination lawsuit related to a hotel closure allegedly caused by a California fire department, a New York ruling that taxpayers lack standing to block a fire tax increase, a verdict in favor of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, a lawsuit seeking to block the termination of a union president, and allegations against an EMS crew whose callous treatment of a patient was captured on a doorbell camera.
HONORING OUR CRAFT
Taking place each year during the third full week of June, Safety Stand Down highlights critical safety, health, and survival issues for fire and emergency services personnel. Departments are asked to suspend all non-emergency activities during the week to focus their attention on safety and health education efforts. A week is provided to ensure that all duty shifts can participate. This years' theme focuses on the important role training plays in a department’s success and building the right foundation for a department-specific training program. Each day will cover a different topic within the theme, including back to the basics, assessing department and community needs, safety during training, health considerations, and the 12 foundations of fire department training.
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