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 MEMBER NEWSThe Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) accredited 63 agencies and designated 688 new officers in 2024. We'd like to share a list of those individuals and agencies from Texas who achieved this noteworthy accomplishment.
Voting for the Valor, Fire Chief of the Year, Fire Safety, and Lone Star Achievement Awards is now open through Friday, January 31. Click the link below to to learn more about the nominees and cast your department’s vote.
UPCOMING EVENTS
INDUSTRY NEWSNFPA (1/22/2025)
Studies found that the loud, sudden sounds used for station alerting can negatively impact firefighter health, but there are steps leadership can take to reduce stress.
U.S. Fire Administration (1/17/2025)
University of Colorado research scientists used NASA satellites to identify factors that can predict wildfire behavior and has the potential to improve future wildfire management.
TEXAS STATE NEWSFOX 7 (1/11/2025)
The Austin Fire Department is using geographic information spatial information to monitor risk of wildfires in the region.
KRIS 6 News (1/17/2025)
As more cold weather is expected across South Texas, the Falfurrias Fire Department is collecting blanket and heater donations to distribution to residents.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE NEWSAs the 89th Texas Legislative Session was called into session on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Texas Fire Chiefs Association (TCFA) was poised to address a number of topics that impact the Texas fire service in a complex political landscape. This session occurs against the backdrop of the pivotal November 2025 elections, which will shape the direction of state and local governance. With Rep. Dustin Burrows elected as Speaker of the House and the governor’s focus on school vouchers and immigration, TFCA will be up against several competing issues. The legislative process offers opportunities to advocate for necessary improvements but also introduces risks that can negatively impact fire service operations if not addressed proactively. Fire service leadership must remain vigilant, engage with stakeholders, and advocate for policies that enhance mission-critical business operations. Texas grapples with several pressing issues that intersect with fire service needs. The ongoing population growth, particularly in urban centers, has increased pressure on first responders to meet rising service demands. Rural fire departments, on the other hand, need help in securing adequate funding and personnel, exacerbating disparities in emergency response capabilities across the state. Furthermore, as Texas frequently faces extreme weather events, including historic wildfires, hurricanes, and severe storms - the need for coordinated emergency preparedness efforts has become more urgent. Add the historic fires in the panhandle and the resulting concerns with interagency coordination, and there is no doubt the upcoming session will be busy. As we see in California, with the historic fires that have taxed every possible system, there is no doubt that many new items and examples will be brought forth during this session: some good - some concerning. Navigating the legislative process coming out of a historic election year presents both challenges and opportunities. While election dynamics may create political gridlock on some fronts, they also provide a platform for fire service advocates to engage with candidates and push for policies that support public safety. The TFCA legislative committee monitors, proposes, and responds to legislation impacting first responders and fire service operations. Based on the interim TFCA membership survey, one-on-one discussions with fire chiefs, and discussions that arise from several TFCA-sponsored and hosted conferences and training programs, the TFCA’s Legislative Committee has narrowed its focus to what the membership has brought forth as concerns or issues needing attention during the next session. The following are the topics TFCA will be engaged in: Health and Safety
Administration & Funding
Risk Reduction & Operations
Support TEEX, TCFP, and TA&MFS on asks See the tracking report of bills HERE 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 NEWSRick Randall Upcoming Training February 25-26
TEEX NEWS
FIRE LAW BLOG
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 20, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a whistleblower suit brought by a terminated LAFD chief; a suit by a New Mexico firefighter alleging discrimination and whistleblower retaliation; a Virginia court holding that the widow of a deceased firefighter is not entitled to workers comp death benefits; a former fire chief charged with falsifying his credentials to operate a drone; and an incident in Bridgeport, CT raising Fourth Amendment questions.
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.
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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.
