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 MEMBER NEWS
The Houston Fire Department (HFD) recently placed in service two state-of-the-art Supervisor Emergency Response Vehicles. These units are assigned to EMS supervisors at station 30 and 82, and they are equipped with a fridge-freezer combination to ensure optimal temperature regulations for emergency cardiac medications. To assist with easy access of emergency equipment, they also feature rear-locking dual-storage compartments and a three-tier storage system located directly behind the front passenger seat. HFD supervisors provide leadership to the more than 100 basic and advanced life-support units, often assisting with interventions during transport. Supervisors and their team respond to emergency calls, conduct clinical assessments and implement interventions as needed. Supervisors’ roles are so dynamic that introducing these new features will expectantly aid in delivering the highest degree of customer service.These two units will not only provide exceptional service to the community but will also be continuously evaluated by EMS professionals, and evaluations will be used for future enhancements to next year’s wholesale replacement of the remaining supervisor vehicles. A special thanks to the Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner for his continued support of the HFD fleet replacement program.
Panola County Constable Bryan Muff was recently appointed as the new Panola County Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator, effective May 1. "He's very qualified," Judge Anderson said following the meeting. Commissioners approved the measure during their Tuesday meeting. The motion was made by County Judge David Anderson and seconded by Precinct No. 4 Commissioner Dale LaGrone. The court had previously approved the creation of the position in March as a means to improve fire services in the county. "It would be a benefit to help all fire departments," said Judge Anderson, noting that the fire marshal will assist the seven volunteer fire departments in the county and also help with any investigation of fires.
UPCOMING EVENTS*SOLD OUT* 2022 Spring Academy – Grapevine 2022 Fall Academy – San Marcos Follow the link below to register.
The 2022 TEM Conference is being held May 31-June 3 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. The conference attracts over 2,500 elected officials, first responders, emergency managers and decision-makers from across Texas and provides jurisdictions an opportunity to see and learn about innovative products and services from numerous organizations. The planning team is constantly monitoring the latest COVID-19 landscape. Any updates regarding the status of The Conference for 2022 will be updated here. The registration deadline is May 29. Follow the link below to register, become an exhibitor, nominate individuals for awards, view the schedule and submit presentation proposals.
INDUSTRY NEWSThe IAFC SWD Board of Directors met last Friday at 1 p.m., and Fire Chief Vance Riley reported the following: The division is in sound financial condition, and we are expecting a large turnout at the Southwestern Division luncheon at Fire Rescue International in San Antonio. Details are to come regarding the main point of contact for the shared TFCA-SWD table. Meanwhile, the SWD Conference, which is taking place in New Mexico this year, is a go. In addition, a retirement cermony is being held on May 4 for Fire Chief Riley, whose last day in the office is April 29. The SWD Constitution and By-Laws allow retired fire chiefs to serve on the board as state vice president, and Riley said he is willing and able to continue to serve in this position "at the plasure of the TFCA Board." "Thank you again for allowing me to serve," wrote Riley. "If you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me."
The Taylor Honor Guard Academy teaches firefighters the fundamental elements of honor guard duties and includes instruction on the following topics: • Traditions and history of the honor guard. • Basic facing movements and drill. • Flag etiquette. • Color team. • Casket watch. • Casket movement. • Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force. • And more. Follow the link below for more information and to register.
TEXAS STATE NEWSIncreased fire weather conditions exist in parts of the state, including the Panhandle and West Texas, while an abundance of critically dry fuels, combined with high-wind speeds and low humidity levels continue to support wildfire ignitions. Follow the link below to view updates about the ongoing Texas wildfires disaster. The TDEM website provides an overview of the ongoing disaster, offers resources for affected citizens and features an up-to-date wildfire map.
SOURCE: Carissa Lamkahouan, Houston Chronicle The incoming new chief for Pearland Fire Department vows to continue the operation's record of excellence, which includes recently earning a top rating that could pay off in the city's economic development efforts and in competitive fire insurance rates for property owners. Hired after a nationwide search, Jack "J" Taylor III will assume his role as fire chief on May 16, replacing Vance Riley, who retires April 29 after 11 years at the helm. Curtis Birt, the department's assistant chief, will serve as chief in the interim. Taylor, who boasts nearly three decades of fire experience, comes from Trophy Club, a city outside of Dallas where he served as fire chief from 2020-2022. "We will strive to be the fire department that others in Texas look to as a template for success," Taylor said.
Gov. Abbott on Monday announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Texas's request for a disaster declaration in communities affected by the Eastland Complex Fire and granted access to its Home Disaster Loans, Business Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which provides low-interest loans to qualifying homeowners, renters and businesses in affected communities. Governor Abbott submitted this request on April 25. Counties included in the declaration are Brown, Callahan, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Palo Pinto, Shackelford, and Stephens. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications here. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or by email.
SOURCE: University of Toronto Paramedic and University of Toronto alumnus Amir Allana, along with his co-supervisor, Andrew Pinto, an associate professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and a family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital, recently published a paper in Healthcare Policy that explores how paramedics can address social determinants of health more effectively. Care could be improved, they argue, by equipping paramedics with tools for better social and environmental assessments. For example, questionnaires could be used to help paramedics assess patients for risks associated with housing, income and food insecurity. Paramedics could also address social factors linked to health by working directly with community-based organizations, such as legal aid, shelters, detox centers, food banks and employment agencies. Allana says such an approach would require a shift in paramedic education, culture and governance. His research also looks at integrated care and how paramedics can extend primary and preventive care in home and community settings. Additionally in a study published in the International Journal of Integrated Care, Allana looked at 108 programs around the world that use paramedics in various care pathways in the community. He found paramedics bridged gaps in care by working across silos that exist between hospitals, social services, primary care and public health. For instance, paramedics in some jurisdictions work with primary care teams to address flare-ups of chronic diseases, such as heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, by going into the community to address needs both reactively and proactively.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE NEWSThere is an urgent need for action at all levels of government to improve our nation’s resilience to the growing frequency, intensity, and cost of flooding and other extreme weather events. The magnitude of the problem is underscored by disaster costs increasing by an average of more than $225 billion each decade since 1980. The impacts are felt by every state and territory, destroying lives and livelihoods in urban and rural areas along the coast and inland. While no community is immune, marginalized and less-resourced populations bear the brunt of these impacts and are least able to prepare and recover. Following last year’s historic investments in resilience planning and projects with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, it is critical that we break down the federal government’s siloed approaches to disaster preparedness, which often create inefficiencies and challenges for state and local partners. A collaborative national resilience strategy between federal, state and local governments is needed to better steward taxpayer dollars and better protect communities from the dangers of flooding and other disasters. The bipartisan National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act can help fill the nation’s resilience gaps by:
The bill creates a first-ever chief resilience officer position within the White House. Just as the growing number of states that have appointed chief resilience officers, establishing dedicated federal leadership will ensure that resilience efforts are integrated and fiscally aligned across all agencies and departments. The bill will produce a national resilience strategy that unifies federal efforts across agencies. The strategy will develop long-term plans that factor in climate threats and will create federal working groups to identify agency inefficiencies and coordinate resilience goals. The strategy will include financial incentives to promote local and state adaptation efforts, improve infrastructure resilience and prioritize the use of nature-based solutions. The bill promotes equity and efficiency. The chief resilience officer will lead efforts to regularly track and report out on federal resilience efforts, available resources for local partners, and opportunities to effectively and equitably distribute funding. The bill gives a diverse set of stakeholders a seat at the table in developing the national resilience strategy. This bill will create a Partners Council on Climate Adaptation and Resilience to account for the values and needs of state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, and NGOs as well as the private sector. The council will identify federal actions that address inequities, streamline support for communities and states, enhance technical assistance, increase local capacity and better support the on-the-ground needs of those most under-resourced and at-risk. TML NEWSWhile the TML Leadership Academy's Course I and Course II are sold out, the organization has a few upcoming events, trainings and webinars planned. Regional Meetings Region 8 May 11 6-8 p.m. Hurst Confernece Center Hurst, TX Region 15 May 19 5:30-8 p.m. Cajun Tex Hallsville, TX Region 9 May 26 Beverly Hills, TX Region 3 June 29 Lubbock Region 12 Workshop May 12-13 South Padre Island, TX Small Town Conference May 19-20 The Hangar Hotel 155 Airport Road Fredericksburg, TX Budget and Tax Rate Workshop May 20 Belton, TX June 30 Bastrop, TX Webinar: Build Effective City Council Relationships June 29 Follow the link below for more event details, including links to webinars.
TML's most-recent Legislative Update features information regarding the Supreme Court upholding cities' ability to regulate off-premise signs, the League testifying at committee hearings, an update on the Federal Infrastructure Bill, the 2022 city tax and budget deadline Memo, and recent House and Senate committee interim hearings.
TEEX NEWSAfter a one-year hiatus, TEEX’s Leadership Development Symposium will return to San Marcos, Texas, on May 17-19, 2022. The Symposium offers an unmatched environment for leadership education, including development in budgeting and finance, health and wellness, personnel management, mentoring and more. Speakers from diverse backgrounds — academics, corporate leaders, veterans, medical professionals, entrepreneurs and motivational speakers — offer a wide range of fresh perspectives on leadership, benefitting everyone in public service. Beyond education, the Symposium provides top-tier networking opportunities for emergency responders in Texas. Attendees of this year’s Symposium will hear from speakers such as YouTube influencer Jason Patton; business professor, veteran and entrepreneur Dr. Bridgette Chambers; Texas A&M University Director of Athletics Ross Bjork; Rob Mendez, coach, inspirational speaker and author; and Ron Derrick, Corporate Emergency Manager for Whataburger Restaurants. Some topics covered will include deployment leadership, mental resiliency, energizing a tired workforce and bridging the gap between generations. The Symposium is free for residents of Texas and $150 for out-of-state residents. First responders, including law enforcement, fire and EMS, receive continuing education units for attending. To find out more or to register for the Symposium, please visit the Leadership Development Symposium Newsletter or the Leadership Development Symposium Registration.
 The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Emergency Services (TEEX) Training Institute announced that the 15th Annual Leadership Development Symposium has been scheduled for 2023 in Frisco, Texas. The symposium is a two-and-a-half-day event attended by hundreds of emergency responders who come to listen to presentations that focus on how to improve their leadership and management skills. TEEX is seeking speakers interested in sharing their expertise during breakout sessions, which are scheduled in two-hour blocks, though speakers may present the same one-hour session repeated back-to-back or have a two-part session. Some areas of expertise where TEEX is seeking presentations include: • Motivational Leadership • Leadership Strategies • Financial Management • Physical and Mental Fitness and Wellness • Organizational Development • Personnel Management Applications are due by July 15. Follow the link below to apply.
NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I June 6-10 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Round Rock Public Safety Training Center 2801 N. May St. Round Rock, TX Fee: $400 for Texas firefighters, $800 for out-of-state firefighters. This course is available to all members of volunteer, paid or part-paid fire departments of cities and industries who need or wish to obtain state or national certification in accordance with NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications.
FIRE LAW BLOG
In this episode, the hosts discuss a ruling in Connecticut regarding the ability of firefighters to file suit on a grievance without union support; the suspension of a South Dakota firefighter who went to Ukraine to assist in rescue efforts; a Memphis battalion chief who was ordered reinstated with backpay after 11 years; an OIG report on HR issues in the Chicago Fire Department; and the settlement of a discrimination suit in New Jersey.
HONORING OUR CRAFTSOURCE: FEMA In 2021, The Department of Justice released a report to the Congress in response to increasing suicides among law enforcement and other first responders. The DOJ that found that two successful ways to lower suicide rates were using support networks, such as peer-to-peer programs, and creating an environment to lower the stigma and fear around asking for help. Resources and support networks
Lifelines
This article features information based on a 2021 issue of The Infogram, which is a newsletter produced by the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center. SOURCE: Firefighterclosecalls.com A vehicle crash into West Virginia’s Elk River that occured on Sunday and killed a mother and her daughter as well as the firefighter who tried to rescue them is being reported as a murder-suicide. Reports from the Braxton County Sheriffs Office are that Latonya Bell, 42, and her daughter, Havana Pipkins, 8, both from Cleveland, Ohio, died yesterday in what is being reported as an intentional act. The firefighter who died in the line of duty after responding and trying to rescue the woman and child after their vehicle was driven into the water has been identified as John Dean Forbush, 24, a four-year veteran of the Gassaway Volunteer Fire Department.
LEADERSHIP
Hosts Larry and David Conley are joined by guest Brian Zaitz at FDIC 2022. To view more videos from this year's FDIC, click here to be taken to Fire Engineering's YouTube channel.
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