The Friday Report
  November 22, 2024
 
MEMBER NEWS

April 14-17, 2025
Waco Convention Center

New this year, TFCA would like to encourage the membership to submit a breakout session presentation for consideration to present at the 2025 TFCA Annual Conference in April! The maximum length of prospective presentations will be 40 minutes plus 10 minutes for questions.

The planning committee is seeking all types of presentations; however, they have identified a list of topics as specific areas of interest to the TFCA Membership. If you would like to submit an abstract on a different topic, please do - TFCA is always interested in new ideas.

Presentation submissions are due no later than Monday, January 6, 2025. Notifications of selection will be distributed by Friday, January 24, 2025. If you have any questions, please email info@txfirechiefs.org or call 512-939-7277.

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

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
USFA (11/7/2024)
Battery fires have skyrocketed in frequency as lithium-ion batteries have grown in popularity, and fire departments and community members both have a part to play in protecting against and mitigating them.
Fire Rescue 1 (11/19/2024)
A survey found that most firefighters believe that their fire chief is disconnected from the reality department members face.
Traffic Technology Today (10/19/2024)
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration acting administrator Kristin White called for increased safety on roadways for emergency responders as part of Crash Responder Safety Week.
Converting Airports to Fluorine Free Foam with Avio Green Mil 3%
National Foam, Inc.®
National Foam's Avio Green Mil 3% Fluorine Free Foam (F3) Concentrate is approved by NAVSEA and listed on the Mil-Spec MIL-PRF-32725 Qualified Product List (QPL). The concentrate is designed for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting vehicles (ARFF), Rapid Intervention Vehicles (RIV), airport crash trucks, and manual handlines during crash rescue operations at military land-based and civilian aviation facilities. Find resources and contact info on our website!
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TEXAS STATE NEWS
KTBC-TV FOX 7 Austin (11/18/2024)
The Texas A&M University community reflected on the 25th anniversary of a deadly 60-foot-tall bonfire collapse.
Round Rock Texas (11/20/2024)
The City of Round Rock opened Fire Station No. 1 on Thursday, Nov. 14, marking the first opening of a voter-approved bond project.
Midcoast Villager (11/13/2024)
Anthony Leo stepped down as chief of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services departments in Thomaston after entering an "Alford" plea Oct. 31.
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

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:

  • Texas Legislature: Pre-Filing of Bills Begins
  • TML Legislative Advocacy Toolkit
  • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update

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Komatsu Architecture
FIRE LAW BLOG
  
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for November 18, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss criminal charges brought against a fired Louisiana firefighter accused of stealing the department’s credit card; the dismissal of a civil rights suit brought by a firefighter accused of setting his business on fire; the filing of a race and gender discrimination case in Colorado; the sentencing of a New York firefighter on child porn charges; and the settlement of a same-sex sexual harassment case in Ohio.
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Helping North Texas Municipalities with ground up construction, remodels and additions of Fire Stations, Police Sub-Stations, Libraries and City Government Centers.
 
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