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!

The Fire Leadership Challenge offers the best in leadership focused education through multiple levels of the IAFC's Officer Development Program, FMAC's Fire Marshal Symposium, and by providing the opportunity to create your own custom schedule. This year's event will take place in Keystone, Colorado and will offer a variety of sessions, including:
  •  Create More Buy-In Through Coaching
  •  Applying AI in the Fire Service: Practical Options to Improve Mission Performance
  •  Tackling Carcinogen Exposure in the Wild West: A Focus on Wildland Firefighting

This course features three full days of instruction to help agencies prepare for accreditation under the 10th edition of the CFAI model. It covers the development of the three key documents, the Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover, Strategic Plan, and Self-Assessment Manual.

SOURCE: NFPA
“Through a deadly combination of human and natural causes, we now see unprecedented wildfires in every corner of the globe and in communities that were previously not viewed as high risk,” said NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley. 

SOURCE: Wildfire Today
Scientists from the University of Michigan have identified a link between agriculture and wildfire smoke  and the onset of dementia.

SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
The IAFC, in partnership with Pierce Manufacturing Inc., announced Volunteer Chief Thomas Bell of Greensburg (PA) Volunteer Fire Department and career Chief Brian Fennessy of the Orange County Fire Authority as the 2023 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year honorees during its annual Fire-Rescue International conference in Kansas City, MO.

SOURCE: Texas Department of Insurance
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has announced new leadership for the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO). Debra Knight will serve as the new State Fire Marshal for Texas.

SOURCE: NBC 6 KCEN
The Waco Fire Department is morning the loss of Engineer Steve Kroll who passed away on Aug. 15 after battling cancer for over a year.

SOURCE: KSAT
Bexar County fire officials announced a new collaboration with multiple agencies to help fight and respond to grass or wildfires.

SOURCE: NBC 23 ABC 4 ValleyCentral
The City of Edinburg has announced the selection of Omar Garza as its new fire chief. Chief Garza has over 30 years of experience as a firefighter, beginning in 1993 as a volunteer in his hometown of Alamo.

The Texas A&M All-Hazard Incident Management Team Program is a collaborative effort between Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Division of Emergency Management and Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service. For more information about the program and how to register, download the flyer below.

This update covers the following:
  • TWDB Releases FAQ on State Water Fund
  • Funding to Improve Broadband Access Across the State
  • Paid Line of Duty Injury and Illness Leave for First Responders
  • Public Safety
  • Resolutions for the 2023 TML Annual Conference Due Aug. 21
  • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup, hosts Brad and Curt discuss a Rhode Island superior court decision upholding the right of fire districts to charge for plan review; the grant of summary judgment to the defendants in a lawsuit filed by a New Haven assistant chief against several other staff members; a decision by the Ninth Circuit concluding that the City of Stockton fired an employee for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons; a suit filed by a Mobile firefighter who was fired last year over a tattoo, alleging race, gender, sexual orientation and religious discrimination; hostile work environment; retaliation; and violation of the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment; and a defamation suit filed by a dentist who was accused by a Rochester firefighter of hosting a racist house party.

In this episode of the leadership series from Fire Engineering, host Stephen Shaw is joined by guest Nick Papa to discuss the nature and vagaries of influence in the fire service.