 |
||||||||||||||
| Past Issues | Subscribe | Advertise with us | Txfirechiefs.org | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
 UPCOMING EVENTSBecome an outstanding leader in the fire services community by acquiring fresh and up-to-date leadership training through the TEEX Leadership Development Symposium. Topics include leadership, management, safety, budgeting, and more. The 2023 Leadership Development Symposium will be held on January 9-11, 2023 in Frisco, TX! For event details, registration and hotel reservation information follow the link.
The Cowtown Cancer Coalition is hosting the Fire Service Cancer Conference on Nov. 2-3 at the Tarrant County College - Fire Service Training Center, 4801 Marine Creek Parkway. The Cowtown Cancer Coalition's mission is to reduce firefighter cancer through prevention, education, and early recognition, and they invite members of the fire services and their families to attend the conference and learn from renowned national speakers on cancer in the fire service community.
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. 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 
INDUSTRY NEWSSOURCE: NFPA Today In the wake of Hurricane Ian, which made landfall near Fort Myers, Florida, on Sept. 28, officials are warning of a new fire hazard posed by electric vehicles (EVs) that were damaged in the storm. “Electric vehicles that have been submerged in water, especially saltwater, have a potential risk of experiencing a high-voltage electrical battery fire,” said Victoria Hutchison, a project manager at the Fire Protection Research Foundation, the research affiliate of NFPA. “First responders should be prepared to respond to a potential fire and should handle EVs that may have been submerged with greater caution.”
SOURCE: Homeland Security Today
The U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control was held last week at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Md. Fire service and homeland security leaders discussed several topics ranging from wildfires in the wildland-urban interface and improving firefighter safety to fostering more diverse and inclusive fire departments. The summit marked the 75th anniversary of President Truman’s Conference on Fire Prevention and Control in 1947 that established the U.S. Fire Administration.
SOURCE: Tech Explore
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have begun working on a plan for a technology that could inform firefighters of what dangers lie behind closed doors. The team obtained data from hundreds of backdrafts in the lab to use as a basis for a model that can predict the explosive phenomenon. In the future, the team seeks to implement the technology into small-scale devices that firefighters could deploy in the field to avoid or adapt to dangerous conditions.
TEXAS STATE NEWSSOURCE: Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Prevention Month, observed each October, is a time to evaluate fire safety and to ensure that you, your family and your home are protected. This year’s theme, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape," is about utilizing simple actions that can be taken to increase safety. This year, Texas A&M Forest Service is focused on preparing Texans for any incident, including wildfires, hurricanes, winter storms or tornados, which may require evacuations. During what has become the most significant Texas wildfire season since 2011, Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments have responded to 10,257 wildfires for 634,022 acres across the state. Many of these wildfires prompted evacuations.
SOURCE: Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbot "In accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby renew the disaster proclamation..." Gov. Abbot states. "Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the code, I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.
SOURCE: USA Today
On Saturday, a large grass fire engulfed a pumpkin patch at the Robinson Family Farm in Temple, TX, Saturday, destroying 73 vehicles. A discarded cigarette thrown into dry grass is being considered as a possible start to the fire, according to Bell County Fire Marshall Chris Mahlstedt. The billowing cloud of black smoke as backdrop for the pumpkin patch made for a remarkable October sight and was captured on video.
SOURCE: Goodfellow Air Force Base
As a part of Fire Prevention Week, Goodfellow’s Fire Department hosted the 17th Annual Fire Muster Challenge at Goodfellow Air Force Base. The challenge includes an obstacle course featuring firefighter related activities. Follow the link below for pictures from the event.
TEEX NEWSThe Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) recently teamed up for a two-day course on handling propane emergencies. A similar full-week course has been offered in the past at the Brayton Fire Training Field, but this new two-day offering, sponsored by ProCOT, gives firefighters and other first responders from rural volunteer agencies the chance to take this vitally important training. It also allows first responders the chance to learn side-by-side with members of the propane industry. “It’s important that these relationships are built before an emergency event. The time for responders and industry members to meet is not during a disaster; it’s before that happens,´ said Jackie Mason, Education & Marketing Director with ProCOT.
The 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, Brad and Curt discuss a $1.6 million award in favor of IAFF Local 500 against the city of East Cleveland for a staffing violation, a lawsuit filed against the U.S. Forest Service challenging the use of fire retardant in sensitive areas, a $1 million award against Lansing for discrimination, the termination of two volunteer firefighters in Texas for speaking to the media, and a court ruling ordering the reinstatement of an FDNY firefighter terminated for not complying with the vaccine mandate.
HONORING OUR CRAFT |
||||||||||||||
|
