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 MEMBER NEWSThe TCFA 2022 Annual Conference was held in Waco, Texas, on April 12-14, while TIMAS Stakeholder and TFCA Board meetings were held on April 11. This year’s conference theme was "Resiliency through Leadership," which was fitting for a year of challenges and obstacles that the Texas Fire Service had to overcome, and many stakeholders were in attendance, including TCFP, TDEM and TIMAS. The conference featured an enhanced vendor experience and powerful keynote speakers along with thought-provoking and relevant break-out sessions. This year's event also featured a larger vendor area, where attendees could discuss and fulfill departmental needs. Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator, gave an enlightening keynote session that highlighted fire service trends and opportunities, while the conference closed with a motivational speech from Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, the former Notre Dame football player. “The City of Waco and the Waco Fire Department were great partners in our conference, and we hope to bring it back here for next year,” said TFCA President Donnie Norman.
UPCOMING EVENTS2022 Spring Academy – Grapevine 2022 Fall Academy – San Marcos Follow the link below to register.
The 2022 TEM Conference is being held May 31-June 3 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. The conference attracts over 2,500 elected officials, first responders, emergency managers and decision-makers from across Texas and provides jurisdictions an opportunity to see and learn about innovative products and services from numerous organizations. The planning team is constantly monitoring the latest COVID-19 landscape. Any updates regarding the status of The Conference for 2022 will be updated here. The registration deadline is May 29. Follow the link below to register, become an exhibitor, nominate individuals for awards, view the schedule and submit presentation proposals.
INDUSTRY NEWSThe Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which sponsors The Texas EMS Awards, invites you to submit your nominations for this year’s awards ceremony. Each category honors a person or organization that exemplifies the best that EMS/Trauma System has to offer. It’s quite an honor to be nominated and to win. The categories and explanations can be viewed here. How can I nominate someone, or a service, for an award? When filling out the nomination, please use the space provided and keep your nomination as brief and concise as possible. Be specific, using examples, when possible, to indicate why this person or organization should win. Keep in mind that the people who review the nominations probably will not be as familiar with your nominee as you are. Nominations will be accepted until Sept. 16, 2022. The nomination packets are given to programs in the Office of EMS and Trauma System Coordination, and they are then sent to each EMS zone office. Each program and zone will rank the nominations for each category and then return the information to the office, where scores are tallied. Scores are kept confidential from all except those who tally the scores. Winners are announced at the Awards Luncheon at the Texas EMS Conference. Follow the link below to submit your nomination.
SOURCE: www.healingourown.org Click on the following link to view the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance's 2021 Hall of Memories, and follow the link below to be taken to the alliance's self-assesment test.
SOURCE: IAFF.org On April 20, elected leaders from all levels of the IAFF — national, state, local and federal — met with U.S. Labor Secretary Martin Walsh to discuss improvements, resulting in new policies at OWCP, which will assist federal firefighters by making the following changes:
SOURCE: Chief Mike McEvoy, IAFC EMS Section Chair
As the fire service celebrates EMS Week May 15-21, 2022, this year’s theme, “Rising to the Challenge” could not be more appropriate. During the past year (and the year before), we provided COVID testing to hundreds of thousands of members of our communities. We vaccinated whole segments of our populations including homebound, underserved and school-aged children — not to mention our fellow fire, EMS and law enforcement members. Our scope of practice was changed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to include these new duties. Public recognition followed.
The Taylor Honor Guard Academy teaches firefighters the fundamental elements of honor guard duties and includes instruction on the following topics: • Traditions and history of the honor guard. • Basic facing movements and drill. • Flag etiquette. • Color team. • Casket watch. • Casket movement. • Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force. • And more. Follow the link below for more information and to register.
TEXAS STATE NEWSIncreased fire weather conditions exist in parts of the state, including the Panhandle and West Texas, while an abundance of critically dry fuels, combined with high-wind speeds and low humidity levels continue to support wildfire ignitions. Follow the link below to view updates about the ongoing Texas wildfires disaster. The TDEM website provides an overview of the ongoing disaster, offers resources for affected citizens and features an up-to-date wildfire map.
SOURCE: Matthew Watkins and Jamie Burch, ABC-7 More than 60 firefighters from multiple departments, including the Texas A&M Forest Service, continued battling the Little Highline fire in Potter County on Sunday. According to the TAMFS, the fire was estimated to have burned 25,609 acres and was 95% contained, as of 9:35 p.m., Sunday. The fire started burning Saturday afternoon just west of U.S. Hwy 87, approximately 12 miles north of downtown Amarillo.
SOURCE: Staff report, KHOU 11 The task force put in place in the wake of the deadly Astroworld Festival has released its final report, which includes "recommendations and strategies to ensure the safety of concertgoers" in Texas, according to Gov. Abbott. Some of the recommendations include: Robust training resources for promoters, staff and first responders; a concert attendee code of conduct, which should be part of the ticketing process; and the implementation of a universal permitting template. The Texas Task Force on Concert Safety was put in place after 10 people died and hundreds more were injured last November during Travis Scott's performance at his festival in Houston.
SOURCE: Erin Wides, KLTV A wreck involving a fire truck on I-20 near State Highway 155 on Monday slowed traffic. While responding to a crash at the 576 exit westbound, a vehicle struck a fire engine. Smith County ESD 2 reports responding to a crash with the Winona Fire Department when the fire engine was struck causing “significant damage to both vehicles.” The driver of the passenger vehicle was sent to a local hospital. ESD2 reports no injuries to firefighters. DPS is investigating the wreck.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE NEWSTCFP UPDATESFort Worth Fire Department Training Center 509 W. Felix St. Fort Worth, TX May 5, 10 a.m. These meetings are held so that TCFP stakeholders can have an opportunity to ask questions of TCFP Leadership and receive updates on agency activities affecting the Texas Fire Service. They are designed to allow face-to-face conversations between agency staff and those regulated by TCFP to improve relationships and ensure the transparency of TCFP operations. Meetings typically provide an overview of the following information: • Update on commission actions. • Pending rule and/or curriculum changes. • Update on committee opportunities and activities. • Identifying areas where the agency could improve services. Follow the link below to register for CE credits and to view the full list of upcoming TCFP Regional Meetings. You can also click here to be taken directly to the myTEEX Student Portal, where you can register for CE credits.
TML NEWSWhile the TML Leadership Academy's Course I and Course II are sold out, the organization has a few upcoming events, trainings and webinars planned. Regional Meetings Region 11 May 6 4-8 p.m. Texas State Aquarium Corpus Christi, TX Region 8 May 11 6-8 p.m. Hurst Confernece Center Hurst, TX Region 15 May 19 5:30-8 p.m. Cajun Tex Hallsville, TX Region 9 May 26 Beverly Hills, TX Region 3 June 29 Lubbock Region 12 Workshop May 12-13 South Padre Island, TX Small Town Conference May 19-20 The Hangar Hotel 155 Airport Road Fredericksburg, TX Budget and Tax Rate Workshop May 20 Belton, TX June 30 Bastrop, TX Webinar: Build Effective City Council Relationships June 29 Follow the link below for more event details, including links to webinars.
TEEX NEWSAfter a one-year hiatus, TEEX’s Leadership Development Symposium will return to San Marcos, Texas, on May 17-19, 2022. The Symposium offers an unmatched environment for leadership education, including development in budgeting and finance, health and wellness, personnel management, mentoring and more. Speakers from diverse backgrounds — academics, corporate leaders, veterans, medical professionals, entrepreneurs and motivational speakers — offer a wide range of fresh perspectives on leadership, benefitting everyone in public service. Beyond education, the Symposium provides top-tier networking opportunities for emergency responders in Texas. Attendees of this year’s Symposium will hear from speakers such as YouTube influencer Jason Patton; business professor, veteran and entrepreneur Dr. Bridgette Chambers; Texas A&M University Director of Athletics Ross Bjork; Rob Mendez, coach, inspirational speaker and author; and Ron Derrick, Corporate Emergency Manager for Whataburger Restaurants. Some topics covered will include deployment leadership, mental resiliency, energizing a tired workforce and bridging the gap between generations. The Symposium is free for residents of Texas and $150 for out-of-state residents. First responders, including law enforcement, fire and EMS, receive continuing education units for attending. To find out more or to register for the Symposium, please visit the Leadership Development Symposium Newsletter or the Leadership Development Symposium Registration.
 The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Emergency Services (TEEX) Training Institute announced that the 15th Annual Leadership Development Symposium has been scheduled for 2023 in Frisco, Texas. The symposium is a two-and-a-half-day event attended by hundreds of emergency responders who come to listen to presentations that focus on how to improve their leadership and management skills. TEEX is seeking speakers interested in sharing their expertise during breakout sessions, which are scheduled in two-hour blocks, though speakers may present the same one-hour session repeated back-to-back or have a two-part session. Some areas of expertise where TEEX is seeking presentations include: • Motivational Leadership • Leadership Strategies • Financial Management • Physical and Mental Fitness and Wellness • Organizational Development • Personnel Management Applications are due by July 15. Follow the link below to apply.
Each year, in conjunction with the Texas Annual Fire Training Schools, TEEX hosts three vendor shows, which draw thousands of attendees. Come see the products and services that are available, including fire and EMS apparatus, tools, apparel and technology. More than 130 exhibitors will be on display over the three shows, the largest of which is the Municipal Vendor Show at Reed Arena on the campus of Texas A&M University. Industrial Vendor Show July 17 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Brayton Fire Training Field College Station, TX Municipal Vendor Show July 24 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Reed Area, Texas A&M University Campus College Station, TX Spanish Vendor Show July 10 There is no admission fee, and shows are open to the public.
NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I June 6-10 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Round Rock Public Safety Training Center 2801 N. May St. Round Rock, TX Fee: $400 for Texas firefighters, $800 for out-of-state firefighters. This course is available to all members of volunteer, paid or part-paid fire departments of cities and industries who need or wish to obtain state or national certification in accordance with NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications.
FIRE LAW BLOG
In this episode, the hosts discuss the decision to reinstate a firefighter in New Orleans over the violation of the firefighter bill of rights; an FLSA overtime suit by a captain in Louisiana; a suit challenging a union’s right to grieve the dismissal of a probationary firefighter; a $369,000 award against FASNY for wrongfully terminating the contract of one of its officers who raised concerns about financial improprieties; and a case where the invalidation of a marriage between two Indiana firefighters over concerns it was being used to fraudulently award pension survivorship benefits was denied.
HONORING OUR CRAFTSOURCE: Firefighterclosecalls.com Wind-driven wildfires sweeping through parts of Nebraska killed a retired fire chief and injured at least 15 firefighters, according to authorities. A retired Cambridge fire chief, who was working with firefighters as a spotter in Red Willow County, died on April 22. His name was not released at the time of publication, and there was no information available regarding his injuries. At least 15 firefighters have been injured battling the blazes, but a spokeswoman said the state agency didn’t have details about their injuries.
Original reporting by The Associated Press.
SOURCE: IAFF.org The IAFF is saddened to report Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) of New York Local 94 member Timothy Klein, 31, died in the line of duty while responding to a three-alarm Brooklyn house fire on April 24. Additionally, at least eight of his fellow fire fighters sustained injuries. Klein, a six-year veteran, was among more than 100 fire fighters who responded to the fire. Once on the scene, Klein and three others went inside to conduct an interior attack. When the structure started to deteriorate, the incident commander ordered everybody out. But the ceiling partially collapsed before Klein and three others could get out, trapping them inside. Three were able to get out and were transported to the hospital for treatment, but Klein could not be pulled free from the rubble before he died from his injuries.
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Sugar Land 
