The Friday Report
  August 4, 2023
 
MEMBER NEWS

TFCA is accepting nominations for the following positions:

  • 3rd Vice President (1 Year, moves up to 2nd, 1st, then President)
  • Treasurer (3 years)
  • TML (2 years)
  • ESD (2 years)
  • Central (2 years)
  • North (2 years)
  • Southeast (2 years)
  • Panhandle (2 years)
  • Valley (2 years)

Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 15. Please use the form below to submit a nomination:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/37118c95c1824aeea5514863203ea5bb

The election will start on Sept. 1 and end on Sept. 30.

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UPCOMING EVENTS
The 4.5-day Battalion Chiefs Academy empowers aspiring and new Battalion Chiefs with strategic leadership skills. Focusing on guiding principles rather than tactical aspects, our comprehensive training equips participants to excel in their roles. Join us for a transformative learning experience, honing critical decision-making abilities and paving the way for success as fire service leaders.

The 3rd Annual Texas Fire Department Facilities Best Practices Conference, hosted by the Austin Fire Department, will take place Aug. 9-11 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. This year's theme—Navigating the Chaos: Managing Fire Department Facilities with increasing costs and supply chain issues in the Post-Covid era—is relevant for all fire fepartment leaders and logistic/maintenance staff directing the planning, construction, or maintenance of fire department facilities. Please register and book hotels as soon as possible, as space is limited! 

Celebrate IAFC's 150th anniversary this year at the Fire Rescue International conference in Kansas City. Each summer, thousands of the most prominent fire and emergency service leaders from across North America and around the globe come to FRI to learn, network and collaborate together. Click the button below to learn more, and register today!

The Tarrant County Fire & Arson Investigators Association Conference will take place Aug. 21-24 at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex in Fort Worth. The conference will include the following topics:

  • Challenges to The Winning Mind Seminar by Dave & Betsy Smith
  • Challenges to Expert Qualifications, Methodology, & Opinions
  • Overcoming the Challenges of Photographing Fire Scenes
  • Fire Dynamics
  • Electric/Solar Energy Vehicles
  • 2020 Seattle Civil Unrest Arson Investigations
  • Digital Forensics in Modern Fire Investigations

The First Responder Mental Health and Wellness Conference will take place Oct. 5-6 at the Norris Conference Center in San Antonio, TX.  This  two-day multifaceted training and networking event is for all First Responders, Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatchers, Military/Veterans, Corrections, Coroners, Chaplains, Retired First Responders, Spouses, Professional staff, Clinicians, and all those who work in or around the Public Safety field. 1st Responder Conferences is committed to the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of public safety professionals and works with leaders in the public safety professions to make this possible. Partnered with with nonprofit organizations like First H.E.L.P. and ICISF, we work together to make sure all first responders get the resources they need to live a happy and healthy life!

Martinez Architects, LP
INDUSTRY NEWS
SOURCE: The International Association of Fire Chiefs
The IAFC is urging fire chiefs to use this August to meet with local Senators and explain the importance of the AFG and SAFER grant programs for fire department operations. 

SOURCE: Fire Chief
A two-year grant partnership has allowed the Anchorage FD to create a resilience program that’s already helping its members.

Industry’s First Fluorine Free Foam Guide
National Foam, Inc.®
National Foam, a recognized leader in fluorine free foam concentrates, has developed the industry’s first fluorine free foam guide as a comprehensive reference guide for professional firefighters. The guide outlines the basic characteristics and types of firefighting foam as well as application hardware and proper application techniques. Order your free digital copy today. 
www.nationalfoam.com/sfff-guide/
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TEXAS STATE NEWS

SOURCE: Texas A&M Forest Service
“Since mid-July, wildfire activity has increased substantially across Texas due to expanding drought conditions. Over the past two weeks, state and local firefighters have responded to 280 wildfires that burned almost 10,000 acres,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. 

SOURCE: The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)
“I encourage our partners in communities across the state who have a need for these health and medical supplies to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd.

SOURCE: KSAT 12
Mental health is a top priority for the San Antonio Fire Department as the number of deadly fires in the city has hit double digits this year.

SOURCE: KPRC 2 NBC
Houston Fire Department announced last week that its fire chief, Sam Peña, was named the 2023 Metropolitan Fire Chief of the Year awarded by International Association of Fire Chiefs and National Fire Protection Association.

iPlanTables
HED Architects
TCFP UPDATES

Aug. 9-10 Commission Workshop and Meeting

The Commission will be having their summer workshop on Aug. 9 at 10:00 a.m. and the formal commission meeting on Aug. 10 at 9:00 a.m. The agendas can be downloaded from the TCFP calendar webpage.

Apply To Be on the ARFF Curriculum Committee

The TCFP is seeking qualified applicants for the ARFF ad hoc curriculum committee to assist in updating the ARFF curriculum. Please view the July 31 announcement for details.

August and September Regional Meetings

Dates and locations for the upcoming regional meetings are as follows: 

  • Aug. 15 - Beaumont
  • Aug. 16 - Sugar Land
  • Aug. 17 - College Station
  • Aug. 29 - San Angelo
  • Sept. 6 - Lubbock

For more information about regional meetings, visit https://www.tcfp.texas.gov/newsevents/regional-meetings.
 

TML NEWS
Members of the TFCA and its legislative consultants, Randy Cain and Adam Burklund, cover the 88th Regular Session and discuss the bills that have been passed into law and their impact on the Texas Fire and EMS organizations. Gain insight on how you can prepare your department to ensure policies and procedures are updated to be in compliance.

This update covers the following:
  • Mandated Cybersecurity Training Due Aug. 31
  • HHSC Proposes Rules on EMS Reimbursement Rates and Procedures
  • Don't Forget: Resolutions for the 2023 TML Annual Conference
  • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update

Sounding the Alarm on Low Tire Pressure
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Fire Engines responding to calls expose tires to multiple hazards of glass, metal shards, screws and other tire puncturing road debris. Bellacorp, Inc. sells and supports commercial grade tire monitoring systems for fire trucks and big rigs. Full time/real time electronic monitoring from the cab ensures redundant safety checks for tires. Low pressure alarms alert personnel to sudden tire deflation in the field.
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TEEX NEWS
  
Firefighters and emergency service personnel from across the state and the nation came to College Station to attend Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service’s (TEEX) Texas Annual Fire Training Schools. “This is a tremendous opportunity to share information and learn from some of the best instructors in the business. Our annual schools prepare participants to serve their communities, protect companies’ critical assets and be good stewards of the environment,”  Director of TEEX Fire and Emergency Services Division Gordon Lohmeyer said.

On Duty Health
Komatsu Architecture
FIRE LAW BLOG
  
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup, hosts Brad and Curt discuss a case involving the theft of $850k from a volunteer fire company in New York; a lawsuit filed by a firefighter against a captain, a firefighter, and a California fire department alleging assault and battery; the dismissal of a Kentucky Fire Department and two chief officers from a lawsuit related to a former firefighter who was convicted of assaulting a 17 year old girl; a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the termination of a Hunstville, Texas firefighter; and a civil suit filed against the Latrobe Volunteer Fire Department, the fire chief, the fire company president, and a county police detective claiming they conspired to pursue criminal charges against a firefighter in 2021 without probable cause and in retaliation for his exercise of free speech rights.

HONORING OUR CRAFT
  
SOURCE: The U.S. Fire Administration
Extreme heat affects the environment, but also how fire and EMS departments respond, train and communicate with their communities. In this podcast, learn how fire departments are adapting to extreme heat to help their communities become #SummerReady.