Valor Award Nominees
  •  Neil Wleczyk, Jeremy Lopez, Ben McDonald, and Chris Dorsett 
  •  Williamson Co ESD 5 A Shift

 Fire Chief of the Year Award Nominees
  •  Amy Ramon
  •  Gary Estep
  •  Kevin Hosler
  •  Leonard Mikeska
  •  Marty Wade
  •  Michael Goodreau

Fire Safety Award Nominees
  •  Debra Crafton
  •  Dustin Leonard
  •  Coppell Life Safety Park

Lone Star Achievement Award
  •  Paul Henley
  •  Kevin Hosler
  •  Denton County ESD No. 1
  •  Sachse Fire-Rescue
  •  Texas Commission on Fire Protection

Click the button below to cast your vote.

The Texas Fire Chiefs Association is pleased to announce the release of the Basic Cancer Guide, created through the efforts of the TFCA Health and Safety Committee.  This guide provides essential knowledge about cancer terminology, risks, and prevention efforts in the fire service industry.  Utilize this guide to explore the basics of firefighter cancer, including best prevention practices, as well as to access resources for further research. 

This webinar, hosted by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, will cover the critical aspect of retaining an adequate number of trained volunteers to respond to emergencies, as well the actions necessary to overcome periods of low staffing.

This high-energy program will address the hottest issues and challenges that company officers face in today’s Fire Service. Topics include communication, trust, ethics, diversity, generational challenges, CISM, accountability, and social media to name just a few. Dates and locations have been announced for all the Company Officer Symposiums in 2024.  Click the button below learn more and to register.

Presneted in Partnership with First H.E.L.P., co-hosted by the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office, and endorsed by the El Paso Fire Department, Cypress Creek Fire Department and Texas LODD Task Force, 1st Responder Conferences presents a multi-faceted two-day seminar and networking event for improving the mental health and wellness of our first responders. By discussing the real 21st Century issues our first responders and their families are continually facing, our conference will provide awareness, resources and action items to combat PTSD/PTSI, depression, suicide, addiction, stress, and overall mental health. The event will take place March 7-8, 2024 at the Wyndham El Paso Airport. Download the flyer and click the button below to register.

This course was developed by Coalitions & Collaboratives, Inc and the USDA Forest Service and will be hosted in partnership with Texas A&M Forest Service. Created for current or future mitigation specialists, wildfire program leads, and others who work with residents and their communities to reduce wildfire risk, the Mitigation Best Practices training covers everything from effective communication to strategic wildfire planning. You will come out with the tools to help you engage with local communities and target which prevention strategies are effective.

SOURCE: Wildfire Today
Some states have taken steps to update their fire risk maps as demographic changes and climate change contribute to shifting wildfire risk areas.

SOURCE: U.S. Fire Administration
If you have been awarded a grant to improve wildfire safety in your area, effectively utilizing the funds through proper project execution, financial reporting, and compiling an approved grant report are crucial next steps.

SOURCE: Texas Public Radio
“With the El Niño conditions that are forecast, that typically means that Texas is more in a moist and cool environment through the winter and early spring months,” says Lucas Kanclerz, fire analyst for Texas A&M Forest Service.

SOURCE: ABC 8 WFAA
Following a hotel explosion earlier this month that captured media and public attention, Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis shares more details on the ongoing investigation.

SOURCE: Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
“The symposium is vital to the state of Texas. It fills a need that isn’t being filled anywhere else,” said Les Stephens, Fire Chief for the city of San Marcos and one of the event hosts.

SOURCE: City of San Antonio
On Jan. 11, San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh announced the appointment of Christopher (Chris) Monestier to Interim Fire Chief and Valerie Frausto to Interim Deputy Fire Chief over Administrative Services.

This update covers the following:
  • Comptroller Adopts Local Sales Tax Sourcing Rule Governing Order Receipt and Fulfillment
  • Bills Effective Jan. 1
  • Comptroller Reporting Requirements: Eminent Domain and Local Hotel Occupancy Reports
  • FHWA Releases New Traffic Control Device Manual
  • TCEQ Seeking Applicants for Solid Waste and Recovery Advisory Council
  • Reminder: U.S. Treasury to Host Workshop on SLFRF Reporting
  • Governor Announces Grants to Military Communities
  • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update

On Jan. 7, the Texas Fire Service Hall of Honor took place during TEEX’s 16th annual Leadership Development Symposium.  There were two recipients for the Hall of Honor Lifetime Achievement Award this year: Chief Steve Bass, Grapevine Fire Dept. and Chief Shawn Snider, Edinburg Fire Dept.

According to TEEX Director David Coatney, the award “recognizes those who have contributed to the Texas Fire Service, whether by developing programs to improve firefighter safety, caring for firefighters or their surviving family members, or advancing the fire service to better serve the citizens of Texas.”

Award nominations for 2025 are now open until Aug. 2, 2024. TEEX is also accepting donations to support the Hall of Honor.

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup, hosts Brad and Curt discuss an FLSA Overtime and retaliation lawsuit, an appellate ruling involving the appropriate calculation of a death benefit, a firefighter in Nevada charged with possession of child porn in the firehouse, and other cases.

The International Association of Fire Fighters and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), have partnered to provide informational presentation slides, fact sheets, and other resources to distribute throughout the month of January. The program covers a new topic for each week, intended to raise awareness, connect those in service with necessary resources, and provide factual information and data about cancer in the fire service industry.