The Friday Report
  November 8, 2024
 
MEMBER NEWS

The Texas Fire Chief’s Association (TFCA) is now accepting nominations for its Annual Awards. To select the honorees, each department will have one vote for each of the awards/achievements listed below.

Fire Chief of the Year
Please include the name of the individual and a detailed description of the reasons for your nomination. Please also include any supporting documentation you wish to submit as well as the nominee's contact information and your contact information.

Lone Star Achievement
Please include the name of the individual or organization you are nominating, their contact information, a description of the achievement as well as any supporting documentation relevant to the nomination. Please also include your name and contact information.

Fire Safety
Please include the name of the individual or organization you are nominating, their contact information, a description of the program as well as any supporting documentation relevant to the nomination. Please also include your name and contact information.

Valor Award
Please include the nominee's name, contact information, a brief description of the incident as well as your name and contact information. Newspaper clippings and media submissions should be sent as additional attachments.

Please submit your nominations and supporting materials by December 27, 2024.

Click Here to Submit Nomination

 

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UPCOMING EVENTS
Event Details
Monday, November 11 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, November 12 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, November 13 | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

In partnership with Coalitions & Collaboratives, Inc. and the USDA Forest Service, the Texas A&M Forest Service will be hosting a Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices Training from December 3-5, 2024, in Georgetown, TX. This course is designed for fire service personnel, emergency managers, city planners, and community leaders who are interested in learning proven and effective best management practices that reduce wildfire risk. Tuition is free and participants will have the option to complete their Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) N9073 training certificate.
 
Click the attached flyer for more information and for the QR code to register.
 
For any questions about the training, please email cwdg@tfs.tamu.edu.
 
Thank you and we hope that you will join us at the training!

Texas Fire Chiefs Workshop is a comprehensive networking opportunity for current Fire Chiefs (Head of Department). Earn the Additional 20 Hours Required by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection with your peers in one event!

Post Traumatic Purpose is a transformative mental health initiative that aims to foster awareness among Military Personnel, Veterans, First Responders, Jailers, Dispatchers, Health Care workers, and their families. This program emphasizes the importance of transparency and relatability in addressing the challenges faced by these communities. Unlike traditional wellness training, Post Traumatic Purpose is an engaging, emotionally charged, and authentic experience designed to facilitate positive growth at the individual, professional, and family level. By encouraging ownership, acceptance, humor, and motivation, participants are empowered to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

The Texas Department of Public Safety cordially invites you to attend the Texas Targeted Violence Prevention and Behavioral Threat Assessment Conference, taking place from January 13 to 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

The conference is dedicated to mitigating the risk of targeted violence and terrorism by enhancing awareness of pre-attack indicators, promoting best practices in threat assessment and management, and highlighting the critical role of community engagement in redirecting individuals from the pathway to violence.

We encourage you to share this invitation with relevant multidisciplinary stakeholders within your state, including mental health professionals, law enforcement agencies, representatives from schools, colleges, and universities, judicial authorities, and community service organizations at the local, state, tribal, and federal levels.

For further information and registration, please visit, https://cvent.me/ql83nV

Download the report HERE.

Inspired by the Texas Fire Chief’s Annual Workshop, this gathering is designed specifically for the Second in Command. Attendees will tackle common challenges encountered in their position and will discuss innovations and strategies used in departments throughout Texas. Past history shows that these formal and informal conversations provide dynamic networking opportunities made possible by the diverse and talented professionals of the Texas Fire Service.
Fire Department administrative staff carry a heavy burden. Without a strong administrative staff, organizations cannot achieve their full potential and operate efficiently. The goal of this conference is to provide position-specific training and development opportunities and to help connect FIRE/EMS administrative staff members enabling them to provide the highest level of support possible.
Martinez Architects, LP
WinStar Insurance Group
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fire Rescue 1 (11/1/2024)
With fire departments facing recruitment and retention issues, they must consider the value they are providing to new recruits.
Wildfire Today (11/1/2024)
The U.S. Forest Service learned that companies supplying them with wildfire suppressants may be including various heavy metals in their product formulas.
Fire Engineering (10/25/2024)
Establishing a water supply is an essential part of engine company operations, and they must decide whether it's better to use a hydrant or draft from a static supply.
Converting Airports to Fluorine Free Foam with Avio Green Mil 3%
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TEXAS STATE NEWS
Valley Central (11/1/2024)
The Edinburg Fire Department announced it promoted department veteran Deputy Chief Gabriel Espinoza to the position of assistant chief.
CBS Austin (11/6/2024)
Pflugerville area voters rejected Proposition A on election day, which would have eliminated a half-cent sales tax that provides around 40% of the fire department's operational budget.
My Texas Daily (11/6/2024)
Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muoz appointed Assistant Chief Marion Spann as the City of Houston Fire Marshal, making her the first Black woman to hold the position.
Delta Fire & Safety
HED Architects
TCFP UPDATES
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection respectfully submits for consideration its FY2026-27 Legislative Appropriations Request and seven exceptional items, which total $1,651,577.61 in increased appropriations. The commission is fully committed to careful and prudent stewardship of the funds provided for its operations and adheres to the statewide philosophy that all agencies are to be efficient and accountable. The commission has prepared its LAR in accordance with the instructions issued by the Governor’s Office and Legislative Budget Board. 

TCFP 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

Rick Randall Upcoming Training

November 19-20 
El Paso
Resilience Strategies for First Responders (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)   

December 10-11 
The Woodlands
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.) 

This update covers the following:

  • NLC Campaign Launches Initiative to Protect Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds
  • Speaker Phelan Announces Working Group
  • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update

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On Duty Health
Komatsu Architecture
FIRE LAW BLOG
  
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for November 4, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss a decision by the Ohio Supreme Court who refused to order the removal of a fire chief; the severing of a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit filed against two fire departments; the filing of a lawsuit against the Indianapolis Fire Department challenging its social media policy; an appellate decision in Illinois that shift trades are a mandatory subject for bargaining; and the dismissal of a discrimination lawsuit in New Jersey because the fire department properly addressed the offensive behavior.
HONORING OUR CRAFT
Fire Rescue 1 (11/7/2024)
Firefighter Marcelo Garcia from the Houston Fire Department passed away due to injuries sustained from a wall collapse during a commercial structure fire.
Project Leadership, Planning and Management
FDCS®
Helping North Texas Municipalities with ground up construction, remodels and additions of Fire Stations, Police Sub-Stations, Libraries and City Government Centers.
 
If your community is experiencing rapid growth, has limited resources, looking for a better way, or stuck in the mindset of “we’ve always done it that way”, let FDCS help take your project to the next level of success.
For more information, please visit our website
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