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 MEMBER NEWS
Please share your thoughts concerning Firefighting (ESF-4) in the Emergency Management realm so your representation on the TEMAC Executive Committee can be heard. Comments can be sent to JWittig@OakHillFire.org. Since 1996, the prestigious Fire Chief of the Year award has recognized one volunteer and one career fire chief for their leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service and contributions to the fire service. Nominations for 2022 are now open. All nominations are reviewed by a select committee of IAFC members. The nomination deadline is June 15, 2022.
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 drills. • Flag etiquette. • Color team. • Casket watch. • Casket movement. • Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force. Follow the link below for more information and to register.
Collins College's Continuing Education Health Sciences department will be hosting critical-incident stress-management (CISM) courses in June. These courses are accredited through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and are eligible for TCOLE CEUs as well as CEUs for counselors. The instructor will be retired Lt. Larry Lowe, a veteran police officer who is currently with the Richardson Police Department. Lowe has multiple years of experience in emergency-services work. The course focuses on the following topics:
Attending professionals will come from many different backgrounds in the health and public-safety community. In additon, these courses are great for anyone who encounters people in distress, so please help us spread the word about CISM.
UPCOMING EVENTS*SOLD OUT* 2022 Spring Academy – Grapevine 2022 Fall Academy – San Marcos Follow the link below to register.
TECC Second Edition Providers Course June 24-25 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Collin College Public Safety Training Center 3600 Red Bud Blvd. McKinney, Texas Cost: $210 per person. CE Credit: 16 hours. The deadline to register is June 10, so there isn't much time to reserve a spot. Follow the link below to view the flyer, which features information about course topics.
INDUSTRY NEWSSOURCE: Lorraine Carli, NFPA Buffalo, New York. Uvalde, Texas. In the span of just 12 days, the U.S. has witnessed two horrific active shooter events that, according to recent news reports, have claimed the lives of 31 people, wounded 18, and left the country deep in mourning. For the last couple of years, national attention has focused much on the pandemic. But as the events of the last week and a half have illustrated, the safety of our communities remains in a fragile state. With the number of active shooting and hostile event situations again making headlines in both large cities and small towns across the country, we are reminded of this horrific threat. In addition to extensive pre-planning, every incident demands split second, life or death decision-making and coordination from responders and then follow-up activity to help the entire community recover. That type of coordinated response only comes with a full system of planning in place. Follow the link below to learn about NFPA resources that are availabe to assist in emergency response operations when responding to active shooter or hostile event situations.
SOURCE: Jesse Roman, NFPA Journal Hospital officials, code makers and other stakeholders were hopeful that the results of a much-anticipated research project on fire doors would bring clarity to an issue that has proven both contentious and costly for health care facilities across the country. Instead, the study’s findings, which were published in May by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, seem to ensure that the impasse will persist for the foreseeable future.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) today officially opened The Conference 2022, a three-and-a-half-day dynamic event delivering dozens of valuable workshops for continuing education, an exhibit hall spanning over 180,000 square feet, and networking opportunities with key partners from across the state. After a 37-month lapse due to the pandemic, The Conference returned to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, bringing more than 3,000 attendees from May 31 to June 3. Throughout the week, first responders, emergency managers from local jurisdictions, elected officials, tribal communities, state and federal agencies, and private-sector partners from across the nation registered for the largest event of its kind in Texas.
TDEM recently announced the creation of the Texas Emergency Management Academy (The Academy), a first of its kind in the nation. The program prepares students for a career in emergency management, with a focus on immediate practical ability. There are a number of higher education facilities across the country that teach emergency management administration. But few, if any, teach the boots-on-the-ground knowledge to immediately respond and help those who most need it. The Academy, which will run for approximately eight months, will prepare interested individuals for emergency management careers at TDEM in a variety of preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation capacities.
TEXAS STATE NEWSGov. Abbott on Tuesday announced a state of disaster has been declared in the City of Uvalde following the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary School, according to press release issued by the governor's office. The disaster declaration accelerates all available state and local resources to assist the Uvalde community, the release said, and suspends regulations that would prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with the aftermath of the tragic shooting. The disaster declaration in Uvalde allows state agencies such as the Texas Division of Emergency Management to continue making readily available all resources to respond to the disaster, including providing a temporary facility to be used as a family resource center serving members of the Uvalde community seeking mental health services and other resources.
TCFP UPDATESThe Texas Commission on Fire Protection is holding an informational meeting on June 16 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Wichita Falls Fire Department, located at 710 Flood St. in Wichita Falls, Texas. This is an excellent opportunity to meet the TCFP staff and put a “name to the face” as well as network with other agencies. Agency Chief Mike Wisko and staff will be available during the meeting to discuss the many topics of the agency, with the first hour being agenda-driven and the second being an open-forum Q&A session. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP no later than June 3. Please RSVP and submit topics to appear on the agenda by sending an email to Tim Gothard. Through a partnership with TEEX, TCFP will now be offering CE hours for attendance at TCFP meetings. Please pre-register using the QR Code that can be found by following the link provided below.
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 3 June 29 Lubbock, TX Budget and Tax Rate Workshop June 30 Bastrop, TX Webinar: Build Effective City Council Relationships June 29 Follow the link below for more event details, including links to webinars.
This week's TML Legislative Update covers the Texas primary runoff election results, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's amended guidance and best practices for inventorying and scheduling records, the federal infrastructure bill, and House and Senate committee Interim hearings. In addition, the update provides an important reminder regarding cyber threats and information regarding TML's Legislative Advocacy Toolkit.
TEEX NEWSFire Officer I June 6-10 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Round Rock Public Safety Training Center 2801 N. May St. Round Rock, TX Cost: $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 Incident Safety Officer Aug. 8-12 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Potter County Fire Rescue Station 3 4150 N. Soncy Road Amarillo, TX 79214 Cost: $600 for Texas firefighters; $1,200 for out-of-state firefighters. This course is available to all members of volunteer, paid, or part-paid fire departments of cities and industries that need or wish to obtain state certification in accordance with NFPA 1521, Standard for Incident Safety Officer. Fire Officer III/IV Combination Aug. 22-Sept. 2 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Castle Hills Fire Department 209 Lemonwood Drive Castle Hills, TX 78213 Cost: $600 for Texas firefighters; $1,200 for out-of-state firefighters. This course is available to all volunteer, paid, or part-paid fire departments of cities and industries that need or wish to obtain state or national certification in accordance with NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications. Follow the link below and select the desired course to be taken to the registration page. Those with questions may contact Sean Fay by email or phone at 979-321-6215.
The TEEX Infrastructure and Safety Summit returns June 20-24 and will be held at San Angelo’s Howard College. The summit provides a great opportunity to attend multiple classes in one location at a discounted rate. All classes are offered at the reduced price of $50, except for Disaster Management courses, which are tuition-free. At the summit, our expert instructors will teach classes in a number of disciplines: • Code Enforcement • Disaster Management • Environmental, Health and Safety/OSHA • Heavy Equipment • Leadership Professional Development • sUAS (Drones) • Transportation and Highway Safety • Utilities • Water and Wastewater
FIRE LAW BLOGIn this week’s episode, the hosts discuss a termination case out of Sacramento; a civil suit by a terminated San Francisco firefighter claiming the city violated the California Firefighter Procedural Bill of Rights; the settlement of a lawsuit by a former Cleveland battalion chief; another AFFF lawsuit — this time by the City of San Diego against foam manufacturers; and the sentencing of a union treasurer for stealing over $200,000 from the Detroit Firefighters local. In addition, the Fire Law Group produced a special Fire Law vlog that covers potential changes to the minimum salary requirements for exempt white-collar employees, which are being considered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Click here to view the video, in which the hosts discuss the potential impacts that could result from these changes. Those interested in learning more about firefighter overtime, compensation for off-duty work, volunteer stipends and other related topics are invited to attend the Fire Law Group's upcoming webinar, titled Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for Fire Departments, which will takle place on June 7, 9, 14 and 16.
HONORING OUR CRAFT
Situational awareness is a critical component of emergency response operations. It is a process that helps firefighters solve problems, prevent bad outcomes, and make better decisions in high stress environments. In recognition of its importance, the theme of the 2022 Safety Stand Down campaign is “Situational Awareness: The Foundation for Good Decision-Making. A joint initiative of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety, Health and Survival Section, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) , this year’s Safety Stand Down program will take place June 19-25. Responder agencies are encouraged to suspend all non-emergency activities during this week to focus on training and education related to situational awareness. The week will be broken down into five daily focus areas to highlight situational awareness during different incident types: structure fires, EMS, wildland incidents, roadway response and acts of violence. Resources, training videos and a PowerPoint presentation will be made available prior to the week on the Safety Stand Down website to help departments plan for and implement Safety Stand Down strategies. In addition, the NFPA will once again host the Fire Service Safety Stand Down Quiz to raise awareness and foster a greater understanding of this year’s theme. Everyone who completes the online quiz will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes, resulting in 200 randomly selected participants who will receive a commemorative Safety Stand Down challenge coin.
SOURCE: IAFC Blog As with other members of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Safety, Health and Survival (SHS) Section mourns the tragic loss of life perpetrated in Uvalde, Texas. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the victims, the first responders who heroically responded to the scene and the entire community. As firefighters, we are called to these horrific events to provide care and assistance to the victims as well as brother and sister first responders. The emotional and psychological toll exacted on responding public safety team members cannot be understated and must be acknowledged with concurrent action. Peer support as well as professional trauma and grief counseling for first responders, with both out-patient and in-patient resources, if necessary, must be part of any post-incident care for our members. Behavioral health resources are a vital component to the resiliency and sustainability of our members and our fire departments. Our ability to continue to provide assistance to our communities is predicated on how well we maintain the full-spectrum health of our first responders. SHS stands ready to assist the first responders of Uvalde, Texas, and any such tragedy to identify and secure the necessary resources to support the long-term mental health of first responders across the U.S. and Canada. Follow the link below to view some of the resources available to help address the mental health needs of responders.
SOURCE: Firefighter Close Calls N.C. Firefighter Line of Duty Death In Quarters Bethany (Rockingham County) Firefighter Brandon Yaeger, 32, died in the line of duty at the fire station, within 24 hours of a call. Yaeger served as a firefighter for 12-plus years. 3 FDNY Members Die From World Trade Center Health Conditions Three FDNY members have passed away from 9/11-related illnesses, related to their work on what was known as The Pile, this past Memorial Day weekend. • Firefighter Robert J. Reynolds, who served in the department for 20 years, succumbed to his illness on May 28. Reynolds was assigned to Engine 96. • Supervising Fire Marshal John J. McCauley died on May 29. • Firefighter Michael Verzi, of Engine 97, also died on May 29. For many Americans, those terrible days are long past. But for those who lived through it, our nation continues to lose heroes, friends and family. Indiana Firefighter Dies After Experiencing Medical Emergency On Scene Sparta Township Firefighter Terry Cassidy, of Cromwell, Indiana, began experiencing symptoms of a heart attack while assisting with a medical call on May 25. A second ambulance was summoned after Cassidy began showing signs of distress, and he was transported to an area hospital. Cassidy remained hospitalized until his death on May 26.
LEADERSHIP
In this Fire Engineering video from FDIC 2022, Jeff DIederich, of Strategic Fire Training, reviews hands-on training with nozzle mechanics and its focus on advancing the line and fire attack.
If you're skiing through trees and all you say is "don't hit a tree, don't hit a tree!" you will hit a tree because all you are focused on is trees. Inversely, if you instead say "follow the path, follow the path," then you won't hit a tree because you're focused on the path. Focus on the things that make you better — not the things that make you weak.
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TEMAC’s primary mission is to provide recommendations and feedback to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) on disaster-related issues and discover new and innovative ways to improve the profession. The TEMAC Executive Committee will collaborate with other TEMAC Committees and work groups to act as the sounding board for TDEM Executive Leadership ideas..png)
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