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 MEMBER NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTSInspired 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. Class size is limited, so please make plans now to attend. This class is open to all fire service personnel who are considered Second in Command to their Head of Department. There are no prerequisites to attend this Workshop. The Workshop will take place from January 23–25, 2023 at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, 177 Joe Routt Blvd. REGISTER TODAY | BOOK HOTEL ONLINE | LEARN MORE & BECOME A SPONSOR 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. REGISTER TODAY | BOOK HOTEL ONLINE | LEARN MORE & BECOME A SPONOSR IAFC’s inaugural Technology Summit International will bring leaders and innovators from around the globe to Irving, Texas for three jam-packed days of education, networking, and exploring the technology of the fire service’s future. In this event you will learn how to overcome the challenges of understanding, selecting, buying, and deploying technology in your department. You will also learn how to make technology work for you to reduce risks, improve your department’s ability to respond to emergencies, and save lives. Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services (TEEX) will also be offereing 15+ CE credits. 
INDUSTRY NEWSSOURCE: WSPA, News13 According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, a total of $8,156 was stolen from the Reidville Fire Department following an email hack. Six members of the fire department failed to receive their direct deposit on Wednesday, and it was discovered had gained access to employee direct deposit information and payroll accounts by hacking into the Assistant Chief’s employee email account. The hackers then edited the direct deposit information of the six employees resulting in their payroll earnings being deposited into reloadable pre-paid debit cards. The CPA that manages payroll for the fire department has requested reimbursement for the Readvile Area Fire District from the banks connected to the fraudulent activity.
SOURCE: Mercury News A federal agency has launched a criminal probe to determine if PG&E, California’s largest utility, equipment caused California’s biggest wildfire of the year. The Mosquito Fire erupted in the Sierra Nevada foothills on Sept. 6, and the U.S. Forest Service has confiscated a PG&E transmission pole and other equipment that was found in the area. PG&E has been found liable for wildfires in the past, and the investigation could add to their tarnished reputation, included some that resulted in fatalities. PG&E stated that its own investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
SOURCE: NFPA Established in 2014, the national Wildfire Mitigation Awards program recognizes outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation. By honoring the achievements of awardees, the program sponsors seek to increase public recognition and awareness of the value of wildfire mitigation efforts. The Wildfire Mitigation Awards are jointly sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the USDA Forest Service. The program includes three awards: (1) the National Wildfire Mitigation Award, (2) the National Mitigation Hero Award, and (3) the Wildfire Mitigation Legacy Award. All nominations for the 2023 Wildfire Mitigation Awards must be submitted to this online form by Friday, November 11, 2022.
SOURCE: CBS 12 A state-of-the-art fire station is now under construction in Riviera Beach, Florida. City leaders believe the new fire station, designed based on the hot zone concept which prioritizes the health and fitness of firefighters, will become a model for the rest of the country. "The hot zone concept allows firefighters, when they return from calls, to transition from what they may have been exposed to, whether it be carcinogens from a fire scene, blood, or just recently, COVID, to transition, decontaminate, and then proceed into their living quarters and not bring those contaminants in with them to where they're living," said Riviera Beach Fire Chief John Curd.
TEXAS STATE NEWSSOURCE: Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott On Wednesday Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy Texas A&M Task Force 1 to Florida ahead of Hurricane Ian to support a request by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "The spirit of Texas is helping one another in times of need, and we are proud to help our fellow Americans in Florida ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Ian," said Governor Abbott. "Texas is no stranger to hurricane disaster response efforts, and we recognize the urgency for additional resources in preparation of this Category 3 storm. We greatly appreciate the the generosity of Floridians and aid the State of Florida has sent us during times of crisis in our state—and we are honored to do the same." Texas A&M Task Force 1 has deployed a Type 3 urban search-and-rescue team consisting of 45 personnel, 4 boats, and 2 canines. Photos and b-roll footage provided by TEEX can be found here: https://media.teex.org/?c=3580&k=cea1753acc
SOURCE: Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border, stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas, and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry. Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to 306,400 migrant apprehensions and more than 20,100 criminal arrests, with more than 17,600 felony charges reported. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 336.3 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.
SOURCE: NBCDFW On Wednesday, Dallas Fire Rescue had to resorte to renting a fire truck in the midst of a fire truck shortage. Dallas normally has 23 trucks strategically placed across the city's 59 fire stations. According to Dallas Firefighters Association President Jim McDade, West Dallas Station 36 was one of several stations that did not have the normal ladder truck on duty. “It slows response and it has a domino effect throughout the city,” Mc Dade said. McDade also expressed this has never happened before in his 17 years as a Dallas firefighter. “It’s a combination of not maintaining apparatus over the years, not being able to fix them, not being able to get parts to fix them and having accidents."
SOURCE: Austin American Statesman On Tuesday the Travis County Commissioners Court issued a monthlong burn ban, citing an increased fire danger in the coming week. The ban affects the county's unincorporated areas and is set to expire Oct. 26. Travis County joins 85 other Texas counties currently under a burn ban, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. “Fire danger is expected to increase significantly over the next 7 to 10 days as humidity levels drop and rain chances remain minimal,” said Travis County Chief Fire Marshal Tony Callaway. Prescribed burns and "outdoor hot works," such as welding, are not affected by the county's order and are allowed under Travis County Fire Marshal’s guidelines.
TML NEWSThis week's update covers the following:
• Next Week: Resolutions to be Considered at 2022 Annual Conference and Your City Delegate • FCC Opens the Broadband Data Challenge Process • Reminder: Public Hearing on October 17 on Local Sales Tax Sourcing • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update • House and Senate Committee Interim Hearings
TEEX NEWSThe NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor II course is designed to meet the needs of entry-level fire and emergency service instructors by meeting or exceeding the job performance requirements in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, Chapter 5 “Fire Instructor II.” Upon completion of this course you are eligible to take the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) written exam and skills testing. Participants that receive a Pro Board certification are eligible for certification through Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) through reciprocity. In addition, participants can apply for certification through State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association (SFFMA).
FIRE LAW BLOG
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup, Bill Maccarone and Curt discuss an investigation into a San Francisco firefighter who was wearing a “Let’s Go Brandon” shirt on duty; a lemon law case filed by a Illinois fire department over a $1.4 million aerial platform; the settlement of a disability suit in NY; a federal court suit filed by a volunteer firefighter in NY state who was dismissed from his department; and a suit filed by the leadership of IAFF Local 3217 covering firefighters at Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport, keeping to block any retaliation for having censured the department’s leadership.
HONORING OUR CRAFT
Tower of Flower Mound, Texas Government announces a new series, Bringing the Heat with host Justin Hobbs. In their first episode, Fire Chief Paul Henley and Deputy Chief Brandon Barth take on some of the spiciest hot sauces around while answering your burning questions.
SOURCE: KHOU-11 In honor of World Heart Day on Sept. 29, Houston firefighter Jason Belin is sharing the story of how his own fellow first responders came to his rescue when his heart nearly stopped on the job. “The personnel that I was working with that day said that I passed out for a minute or so," said Belin who wasonly 46 years old at the time with no prior heart condition. “At that time, they noticed that my heart rate had dropped from 80 beats per minute to 20 beats per minute.” Belin was then rescued by his fellow firefighters as they worked to wake him up and get him to an ambulance immediately. “You don’t ever think that you’re going to get your own guys to come to your aid, but when you do, you need them," Belin said.
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