 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Past Issues | Subscribe | Advertise with us | Txfirechiefs.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 MEMBER NEWS
April 14-17, 2025 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.
In May 2024, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), along with its research partners, conducted a series of tests to determine the contamination produced by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and its impact on first responders and their personal protective equipment (PPE).
For more information regarding the TFCA Best Practices Program, please visit https://info.vectorsolutions.com/vs-tfca-best-practices-recognition-program.
UPCOMING EVENTSPost 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.
INDUSTRY NEWSNFPA Podcast (12/24/2024)
Across the country, several fire departments began dabbling with artificial intelligence in 2024, and more are looking to adapt the technology into their operations.
FireRescue1 (12/31/2024)
The late President Jimmy Carter passed away Dec. 29 at the age of 100, and he leaves a legacy that includes an instrumental role in the creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
TEXAS STATE NEWSTexas Division of Emergency Management (12/29/2024)
TDEM activated the Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Department of State Health Services wildfire response resources due to a high risk of danger.
My High Plains (12/31/2024)
Wiley Harp, Canyon Fire Department deputy fire chief, is retiring after 42 years of service following being on medical leave for the past year.
TCFP UPDATESThe 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
TEEX NEWS
Please join us for the Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner Ceremony, Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 5 PM at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Frisco, TX. Learn more about the 2025 Hall of Honor inductees and purchase tickets for the award dinner ceremony at https://www.txhallofhonor.org.
FIRE LAW BLOG
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for December 30, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by a fire officer in Texas who claims he was passed over for promotion to assistant fire chief in 2023, and the retaliated against for complaining about age discrimination; the dismissal of a federal lawsuit against Baltimore over the LODD of three firefighters in 2022; a lawsuit alleging a Georgia fire department built a new station on the wrong lot; and a demand by Youngstown firefighter that the city reconsider its decision not to discipline the fire chief over racially-charged comments during a labor management meeting.
HONORING OUR CRAFT
During this month, we ask you to share the NFR as one thing firefighters can do to help understand and prevent cancer in the fire service. It only takes 5 minutes to get started. Our digital toolkit for Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month provides materials to help you share the NFR, including:
We’ve also created videos you can download to share on social media, emphasizing how quickly firefighters can get started with their NFR registration. These videos are attached in a zip file. We can also send you professionally printed materials (e.g., posters, fact sheets, palm cards) if you are interested. Just let us know how many and where to send them. Thousands of firefighters from all 50 U.S. states have joined the NFR – and we still need more to join to reach our goal of 200,000+ U.S. firefighters enrolled. We appreciate your continued support and the work you’ve done to help firefighters join. By sharing the NFR with your communities, you can make a lasting impact on the fire service.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Each January, we honor Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a time to recognize the impact of occupational cancer in the fire service, including supporting firefighters diagnosed with cancer and advancing efforts to prevent firefighter cancer.
