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 MEMBER NEWS
Please share your thoughts concerning Firefighting (ESF-4) in the Emergency Management realm so your representation on the TEMAC Executive Committee can be heard. Comments can be sent to JWittig@OakHillFire.org. Since 1996, the prestigious Fire Chief of the Year award has recognized one volunteer and one career fire chief for their leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service and contributions to the fire service. Nominations for 2022 are now open. All nominations are reviewed by a select committee of IAFC members. The nomination deadline is June 15, 2022.
Collins College's Continuing Education Health Sciences department will be hosting critical-incident stress-management (CISM) courses in June. These courses are accredited through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and are eligible for TCOLE CEUs as well as CEUs for counselors. The instructor will be retired Lt. Larry Lowe, a veteran police officer who is currently with the Richardson Police Department. Lowe has multiple years of experience in emergency-services work. The course focuses on the following topics:
Attending professionals will come from many different backgrounds in the health and public-safety community. In additon, these courses are great for anyone who encounters people in distress, so please help us spread the word about CISM.
UPCOMING EVENTS*SOLD OUT* 2022 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 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 drills. • Flag etiquette. • Color team. • Casket watch. • Casket movement. • Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force. Follow the link below for more information and to register.
SOURCE: Angelo Verzoni, NFPA Journal
Battery-powered energy storage systems are cropping up everywhere. For the fire service, improved ESS training and regulation are keys to a safe coexistence with this evolving and complex hazard. Efforts underway in the Boston area, as well as established procedures in New York City, could provide other jurisdictions with valuable guidance.
The wildland urban interface, or WUI, is the zone of transition between unoccupied land and human development. It is the line, area or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. More than 46 million residences in 70,000 communities in the U.S. are at risk for WUI fires. The WUI area continues to grow by approximately 2 million acres per year. There are several ways that the USFA is currently addressing this growing threat. The USFA works with the National Interagency Fire Center and is part of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. These partnerships strengthen its ability to address wildland fires. The organization also provides training resources on addressing wildland fires through the National Fire Academy and provides resources to individuals on how they can create a community wildfire protection plan to assess risk and to create action plans in case of wildfire emergencies. Follow the link below to listen to this podcast or read the full transcript.
TEXAS STATE NEWSGov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, May 19, announced ongoing coordinated response to wildfires burning across West and Central Texas. Multiple wildfires continued to burn across Texas at that time, including the Mesquite Heat Fire in Taylor County, which caused local officials to initiate evacuation orders for residents. As of Thursday afternoon, the Coconut fire in Wilbarger County was estimated at 25,000 acres and was 20% contained, while the Mesquite heat fire in Taylor County was estimated at 9,613 acres and was 5% contained. Information about those local evacuations is available through the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. On Wednesday, May 18, the Texas A&M Forest Service raised the State Wildland Fire Preparedness Level to Level 5 (PL 5) due to a significant increase in fire activity across the state, potential for large fires that are resistant to control and the increased commitment of state and local resources to fires. For the most up-to-date information, view the Texas Division of Emergency Management's Wildfire Incident Response System wildfire map here.
The Taylor County Sheriff's Office provided an update on the Mesquite Heat fire Monday morning. The area affected remains at 11,265 acres, and is at 52 percent containment. The TCSO noted the changes to acreage numbers in the last few days have increased because of aerial surveillance and mapping of the fire and the affected areas. The fire has not been expanding. The sheriff's office said it will continue to have a heavy presence in the area to ensure the public's safety, adding anyone in the area needs to remain mindful of first responders and heavy equipment working in and around the area. Some isolated spots are being allowed to burn themselves out, but are being monitored.
Dallas police have arrested the man responsible for stealing a Plano fire engine from a storage yard in Balch Springs. Police apprehended 27-year-old Jose Mora while he was driving the vehicle along Main Street in Downtown Dallas. Mora reportedly took the vehicle from the storage yard on Saturday. Click the link below for the full story.
TCFP UPDATESThe Texas Commission on Fire Protection is holding an informational meeting on June 16 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Wichita Falls Fire Department, located at 710 Flood St. in Wichita Falls, Texas. This is an excellent opportunity to meet the TCFP staff and put a “name to the face” as well as network with other agencies. Agency Chief Mike Wisko and staff will be available during the meeting to discuss the many topics of the agency, with the first hour being agenda-driven and the second being an open-forum Q&A session. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP no later than June 3. Please RSVP and submit topics to appear on the agenda by sending an email to Tim Gothard. Through a partnership with TEEX, TCFP will now be offering CE hours for attendance at TCFP meetings. Please pre-register using the QR Code that can be found by following the link provided below.
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 3 June 29 Lubbock, TX Budget and Tax Rate Workshop June 30 Bastrop, TX Webinar: Build Effective City Council Relationships June 29 Follow the link below for more event details, including links to webinars.
This week's TML Legislative Update includes information regarding the league's advocacy toolkit, which provides resources, tools and training to help city officials successfully advocate at the Capitol. Also included in this week's update is a notice of the Texas Department of Information Resources proposal of rules that would establish minimum technical standards for open meetings held by computer-based videoconferencing applications, a report on the release of the Texas Hazard Communication Act Compliance Guide, a reminder aregarding drought contingency plans, and updates on the Federal Infrastructure Bill and state House and Senate committee interim hearings.
TEEX NEWSBy Vita Vaughn, Director of Marketing and Communications/CMO, TEEX Of the more than 1,000 attendees at this year’s symposium, 96% came from Texas, representing 51% of Texas counties. And San Marcos Fire Chief Les Stephens said the symposium is vital to the state of Texas. “It fills a need that isn’t being filled anywhere else," he said. "We have certifications, formal education and fire service education conferences, but we don’t have anything fully devoted to building better leaders.” This year, several sessions dealt with mental resilience, aligning with May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. This topic is vital to the first responder community, as responders are up to five times more likely to experience depression and PTSD, according to the Ruderman Foundation. In addition, presenters from diverse backgrounds — academics, corporate leaders, veterans, medical professionals, entrepreneurs and motivational speakers — offered a wide range of perspectives on leadership, benefitting everyone in public service. Attendees heard 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. Lessons learned at the symposium often have an impact in the field, according to Brandon Wade Assistant Chief of Operations and Logistics for the Austin Fire Department. “It’s rare that we go to an incident and our people can’t do the task," he said. "It’s not that they can’t throw the ladder or pull the hose line. It’s rarely the failure of the task. The issue is more often the failure of leadership and decision-making.” 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 Cost: $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 Incident Safety Officer Aug. 8-12 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Potter County Fire Rescue Station 3 4150 N. Soncy Road Amarillo, TX 79214 Cost: $600 for Texas firefighters; $1,200 for out-of-state firefighters. This course is available to all members of volunteer, paid, or part-paid fire departments of cities and industries that need or wish to obtain state certification in accordance with NFPA 1521, Standard for Incident Safety Officer. Fire Officer III/IV Combination Aug. 22-Sept. 2 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Castle Hills Fire Department 209 Lemonwood Drive Castle Hills, TX 78213 Cost: $600 for Texas firefighters; $1,200 for out-of-state firefighters. This course is available to all volunteer, paid, or part-paid fire departments of cities and industries that need or wish to obtain state or national certification in accordance with NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications. Follow the link below and select the desired course to be taken to the registration page. Those with questions may contact Sean Fay by email or phone at 979-321-6215.
The TEEX Infrastructure and Safety Summit returns June 20-24 and will be held at San Angelo’s Howard College. The summit provides a great opportunity to attend multiple classes in one location at a discounted rate. All classes are offered at the reduced price of $50, except for Disaster Management courses, which are tuition-free. At the summit, our expert instructors will teach classes in a number of disciplines: • Code Enforcement • Disaster Management • Environmental, Health and Safety/OSHA • Heavy Equipment • Leadership Professional Development • sUAS (Drones) • Transportation and Highway Safety • Utilities • Water and Wastewater
FIRE LAW BLOG
In this week's episode, the hosts discuss a discipline case out of New Britain, Connecticut arising out of the overdose death of a firefighter; an assault case out of San Francisco; a new Oklahoma law allowing fire trucks to transport EMS patients in extreme emergencies; and a union free-speech case out of Port Houston, Texas.
HONORING OUR CRAFT
SOURCE: Fire Engineering Captain Mike Brewer from the Mesa (Arizona) Fire Department speaks with host Jim Burneka in an episode that focuses on the recently released 3rd Edition of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) Fire Investigator Health and Safety Best Practices. Brewer conducts a brief overview on the report, which finally outlines preventive guidelines on exposure reduction for arson investigators. Those interested in learning more from host Burneka should follow this link here to be taken to the Firefighter Cancer Consultants website.
SOURCE: FireRescue1
Following Tuesday's devastating mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, first responder organizations took to social media to share their support. Messages focused on the emotional impact on those who provided immediate assistance, and expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the loved ones of the victims, who face a daunting road to recovery. Nineteen children and two teachers were killed in the shooting.
SOURCE: Firefighter Close Calls Departments from six communities were called in to respond to a massive fire at a Newport hotel on Monday. Flames and smoke from the four-story hotel, across the street from the old Newport Grand Casino, could be seen for miles. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to Deputy Fire Chief Mark Riding, including one who fell through a floor. No guests were hurt. So far, the middle section of the building has been ruled a complete loss, and the building inspector will determine whether the entire building is a total loss. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
SOURCE: Chris Carter, KAIT8 News An Arkansas man is behind bars after attempting to get behind the wheel of a Trumann city fire truck. The incident happend as fire fighters were working to put out a fire at a debris pile that was left over from the December 2021 tornado, according to Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder. Region 8 News cameras caught Freddie William English, 34, jumping into the truck, and several fire fighters subsequently tackling him before he could flee. English has been charged with breaking and entering a vehicle, as well as terrorist threatening. Click the link below for the full story.
LEADERSHIPFirefighter Safety Stand Down returns for 2022 during the third full week of June. Safety Stand Down focuses on critical health, safety and survival issues for both fire and emergency services personnel. This year's Safety Stand Down theme is “Situational Awareness: The Foundation for Good Decision Making.” Focus will be on "the importance of situational awareness to solve problems, prevent bad outcomes, and make better decisions in high stress environments," according to the Safety Stand Down website. Follow the link below for resources and further details on this essential event.
SOURCE: Firefighter Nation
Fire Chiefs are the fearless head of the department, setting policy and procedures, guiding their team through essential rules and regulations, and much more. The Company Officer (CO) is the backbone of the fire department, ensuring that whatever work needs to be done gets done – safely and efficiently. So, it's of the utmost importance that COs understand how to correctly prepare their firefighters and lead them into battle fully equipped with the tools (both mental and physical) that they require.
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TEMAC’s primary mission is to provide recommendations and feedback to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) on disaster-related issues and discover new and innovative ways to improve the profession. The TEMAC Executive Committee will collaborate with other TEMAC Committees and work groups to act as the sounding board for TDEM Executive Leadership ideas..png)
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