The Friday Report
  March 25, 2022
MEMBER NEWS
The TFCA Bylaws Committee is putting forth several suggested amendments to the organization bylaws to be voted on by the members at the Annual Conference this April in Waco.

Follow the link below to view these amendments prior to the meeting.

The Department of Homeland Security First Responder Resource Group has awarded Texas Tech University with a grant to develop an improved firefighting helmet and is in need of volunteers to aid researchers in testing for the development of this new design.

The project is the result of numerous requests made by first responders across the nation for the DHS group to look into the development of an improved firefighting helmet. The intent is to better protect firefighters during the evolving missions they are faced with along with enhancing comfort, usability and capability for technology integration.

In order to achieve this, the university is in need of firefighters to come to the Lubbock campus where they will be asked to perform a range of head and neck motions as well as a few firefighting activities while wearing various firefighting helmet types. 

According to Suman Chowdhury, an assistant professor with the university's Department of Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering, the study will evaluate the effectiveness of firefighter helmets on positional stability and the risk of head and neck injuries during functional activities, including responding to active-shooter incidents. 

Firefighters who participate in the study taking place at the university in Lubbox, Texas, will receive $100.

Participating volunteers must be free from any form of musculoskeletal health disorders and COVID-19 symptoms. Volunteers can decline to continue at any point during the study.

Reach out to Suman Chowdhury via email or call 806-834-7908 with any questions. Those interested may also contact the Human Research Protection Program at Texas Tech University for any questions regarding the rights of participants via email or by calling 806-742-2064.

Providing Protection for Those Who Protect Us
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Casco Industries, Inc. has been in business for over 72 years. Casco is a family-owned business and is in its third generation of ownership. Casco covers 8 States with 6 offices and warehouses, with two office locations in Texas with 18 salesmen and 6 service tech’s covering the State. Casco is the exclusive dealer for MSA SCBA, Globe manufacture, and many other Fire Service Products in most of the states it covers.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
  

"Building Resilience Through Leadership"
April 11-14
Waco Convention Center

Follow the link below to register. 

2022 Spring Academy – Grapevine
June 5-10, 2022
Embassy Suites by Hilton - DFW
Airport North 2401 Bass Pro Drive
Grapevine, TX 76051

2022 Fall Academy – San Marcos
Sept. 25-30, 2022
Embassy Suites - San Marcos

Click here for more information about the Embassy Hotel.

Follow the link below to register.  

Sugar Land 
May 1-4, 2022

This will be an extended program with additional networking opportunities provided by the Sugar Land Fire Department.

Follow the link below to register. 

 

The International Association of Fire Chiefs Technology Council is pleased to announce the first Technology Summit International (TSI).

This three-day event, which is being held at the beautiful Irving Convention Center from Oct.18 to Oct. 20, is an opportunity for select companies that specialize in public safety technologies to address public safety leaders representing national and international fire service organizations.

The format of this event is different — it is not a conference or a room full of static display booths. This summit is designed to provide face-to-face operations engagement, discussions and demonstrations between industry emerging technologies leaders and fire service leaders.

 

Please join us in supporting the Special Olympics with the first-ever
Fire Truck Pull in Prosper at Children’s Health Stadium on April 9.

This will be a very fun event for a great cause!

Follow the link below for more information. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peer 
Assessor Training Program
April 13 & 20
Distance learning webinar

Quality Improvement for the Fire and Emergency Services Workshops 
April 13-15
Grand Junction Fire Department, Grand Junction, CO

April 19-21
Marysville Fire District, Marysville, WA

May 2-4
Covington Fire Department, Covington, GA

May 24-26
Town of Cary Fire Department, Cary, NC

Follow the link below to register for these events. 

On-Demand Webinars and Resource Documents
We encourage you to take the time to access these free resources in the CPSE University — Click here to view videos and download handouts. 

 
Martinez Architects, LP
Casco Industries, Inc.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Source: Clay LePard, News 5 Cleveland (ABC)
During a recent Ohio EMS Chiefs Association meeting, board members pointed to the mix of staffing and supply shortages, as well as funding issues, as the driving forces behind major issues eroding their industry.

“The state of the EMS industry is on the verge of collapse,” Eric Burns, vice president of Tri-Village Joint Ambulance District in Darke County, Ohio, said. “If we don’t do something quickly, I think EMS as we know it is going to fall apart.”

Source: Firefighterclosecalls
A Pennsylvania Fire Chief and two others were killed Monday after they were struck by vehicle driven by a suspected inebriated driver. 

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper and Trappe Fire Company Fire Chief Branden T. Sisca, 29, and Trooper Martin F. Mack, 33, responded to a call of a man walking along I-95 in Philadelphia early Monday. As they were attempting to put the man into custody, a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed struck and killed all three men. The woman driving that vehicle is suspected to have been driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  

Sisca leaves behind his wife, an unborn child and his parents. Mack was married with two children. 

Follow the link here for additional information on Fire Chief Branden Sisca.

TEXAS STATE NEWS
Please follow the link here to view updates about the ongoing Texas wildfires disaster. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) website provides an overview of the ongoing disaster, offers resources for affected citizens and features an up-to-date wildfire map.

The link below will take you to a PDF of the most recent TDEM state situation report available at the time of this newsletter's publication.

After Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration last week for 11 Texas counties in response to wildfire activity throughout several communities, he also ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in Eastland County in honor of Deputy Barbara Fenley, who lost her life while rescuing victims impacted by the Eastland Complex Fire.

"The First Lady and I extend our prayers of comfort to the Fenley family during their time of grief, and we urge all Texans to remember and honor Deputy Fenley’s service," the governor is quoted as saying in the press release. 

As devastating wildfires sweep across Texas and fire weather conditions continue to threaten large portions of the state, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) encourages citizens affected by these extreme events to report damage to property.

Texans can report damage to homes and businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. The details provided in the survey assist emergency management officials across the state gain an understanding of damages sustained and help officials determine if the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance, as well as identify needs for immediate resources such as food and shelter.

On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott visited Jacksboro and Crockett, where he met with local officials from communities impacted by tornadoes that occurred overnight.

The governor issued a disaster declaration for 16 counties impacted by the severe storms and tornadoes, which will help jumpstart rebuilding efforts. He thanked local officials and emergency responders for helping Texans throughout the night and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Jacksboro, Crockett and other impacted communities have the necessary resources to assist in their recovery efforts.

"We are devastated by the tornadoes that have hit our Texas communities, but remain confident and steadfast in our ability to rebuild together," said Abbott. "Thank you to all emergency responders and members of the Jacksboro and Crockett communities who have come together to help both neighbors and strangers. As Texans, we have endured great storms before and have built back even stronger, and I have confidence in our ability to do so again."

Emergicon , LLC.
TML NEWS
The Texas Municipal League released its legislative update on Friday, March 18. This update includes information about a call for volunteers to become involved in TML's legislative process, the comptroller survey for city officials on the Texas Broadband Development Plan and a webinar on SLFRF Reporting Requirements for NEUs, which is being hosted by the U.S. Treasury. 

TEEX NEWS
TEEX is in search of speakers for the 2023 Leadership Development Symposium in Frisco, Texas. Share your insights on leadership!

Apply now by scanning the QR Code or by following the link below. 

 
FIRE LAW BLOG
  
In this episode, Brad and Curt discuss a LODD apparatus accident case out of Texas, a reckless driving with an engine case from Virginia, a fire chief theft case out of Louisiana, sexual harassment cases from Texas and Virginia, and several more from beyond the blog. 

LEADERSHIP
  
In this week’s #HumpdayHangout, Rick Lasky, Scott Thompson, Terry McGrath and John Salka discuss Maydays on the fireground, the need for firefighter training on Mayday scenarios, the possible stigma attached to calling the Mayday and more.

  
Host Jim Burneka talks with guest Chief Patrick J. Kenny (Ret.), building on his December 2021 appearance on Fire Engineering’s Humpday Hangout with Frank Ricci and P.J. Norwood. Kenny discusses the importance of St. Paddy’s Day, writing his book and the signs that help guide him through life.