Leading Into the Future
March 19-22, 2024 | Waco Convention Center

The Texas Fire Chiefs Association Annual Conference is the signature event of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association and is one of the state’s largest gatherings of fire chiefs, fire service leaders, and decision-makers.

The conference attracts hundreds of attendees from all regions of the state each year. Our attendees are fire chiefs, assistant fire chiefs, deputy chiefs, battalion chiefs, training officers, fire fighters, and city department executives who work together and get positive results. Come meet and network with top leaders in the fire service, learn from those who are foremost in their divisions who are winning awards and guiding others, and join in the tough discussions. Develop relationships which push through legislation and team up across borders to aid one another. Come witness and celebrate with those who have been called out and awarded valor and honor in the line of duty, and cheer for the one who has been nominated and will be name Fire Chief of the Year. You won’t want to miss it!

Adopting new technology and data literacy are crucial to enhancing emergency responders' effectiveness and safety. Join Bart van Leeuwen, Fire Captain & Netage B.V. Owner and Dr. Richard Gasaway, Global Speaker & Situational Awareness Expert as they explore how smart data and AI are revolutionizing firefighting. This 60-minute virtual event, hosted by Smart Firefighting, will include two short presentations and an interactive Q&A with the community.

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.

The Best Southwest Cities Emergency Management and Fire Training are hosting an Active Shooter Response Summit on March 6-7, 2024 at IBOC Church (7701 S Westmoreland Rd, Dallas, TX 75237). Police, Fire, Emergency Management, Dispatch, Hospital, ISD, and other public safety partners are invited to attend to hear firsthand from multiple agencies about active shooter incident response and recovery. The goal of this summit is to share lessons learned that attendees can put into practice in thier home agency to increase their preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities.
 

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.

In collaboration with CPSE, the Bryan Fire Department is pleased to invite you to the Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Workshop. 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. 

You and your significant other are invited to the Stronger Families: First Responder OXYGEN Couples Retreat, where you can savor some moments together, recharge, get expert input, and rekindle your love during these challenging times. This retreat includes one night at the Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio Seaworld-Westover Hills, two mid-day meals, and all sessions from the OXYGEN Program, a national program that has served over 80,000 from our U.S. Military & First Responder families. This is a great opportunity to get away together and gain some tools to make your relationship stronger!

Adopting new technology and data literacy are crucial to enhancing emergency responders' effectiveness and safety. Join Bart van Leeuwen, Fire Captain & Netage B.V. Owner and Dr. Richard Gasaway, Global Speaker & Situational Awareness Expert as they explore how smart data and AI are revolutionizing firefighting. This 60-minute virtual event, hosted by Smart Firefighting, will include two short presentations and an interactive Q&A with the community.

SOURCE: U.S. Fire Administration
Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate African American achievements in the fire service, emphasizing the role of diversity and inclusion in shaping a promising future.

SOURCE: CBS News
A new study reveals underreported roadside worker fatalities due to speed, distractions, and impaired driving.

SOURCE: International Association of Fire Chiefs
The International Association of Fire Chiefs is currently seeking to fill vacancies in several committees.  Those interested must apply by March 15.

SOURCE: Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service 
Texas A&M Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) received a perfect score on its 2023 Federal Emergency Management Association Task Force Administration Readiness Evaluation, marking the first time that any of FEMA’s 28 Urban Search and Rescue teams has earned a perfect score since the agency began the task force evaluations in 2010.

SOURCE: International Association of Fire Fighters
“This politicized attack on union rights, although the first of its kind in Texas, is the continuation of a nationwide anti-union campaign by the Goldwater Institute,” IAFF General Counsel Peter Leff said.

SOURCE: ABC 9 KRTE
Several Houston County volunteer fire departments received donations of new life-saving equipment that could improve outcomes when responding to vehicle crashes.

SOURCE: Texas A&M Forest Service
Texas A&M Forest Service grants support prescribed burns on private Texas lands, enhancing conservation efforts and reducing wildfire risks.

This update covers the following:
  • TWDB Seeking Input on Texas Water Fund
  • SLFRF Resources for April 30 Reporting Deadline
  • Cybersecurity Toolkit for Water and Wastewater Systems
  • TxDOT’s State Infrastructure Bank Program
  • Deadline Approaching: Local Hotel Occupancy Reporting Requirements
  • Federal Infrastructure Bill Update

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup, hosts Brad and Curt discuss several cases, including a lawsuit brought by the mother of a fallen Maui firefighter, a wrongful termination suit involving a former fire chief in Cincinnati, discrimination suits in Florida and Arizona, and a lawsuit against a Vermont fire department regarding ketamine use.