The Friday Report
  October 7, 2022
MEMBER NEWS

TFCA is excited to debut our new Group Membership for 2023. You can now enroll your Chief, Command Staff and Administrative Personnel all for a flat amount, based on the number of sworn personnel. To read the full details regarding this program, and to enroll, please visit: https://tfca.memberclicks.net/become-a-tfca-member
 
If your department does not wish to pursue Group Membership at this time, you can still maintain your current individual membership. To do so, please use this form to be invoiced for 2023: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/c917c3c95f5245b0897a398a76c9718a
 
Remember, to maintain your current TFCA membership, you must utilize one of these two options. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact us at info@txfirechiefs.org.

Providing Protection for Those Who Protect Us
Casco Industries, Inc.®
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

Become an outstanding leader in the fire services community by acquiring fresh and up-to-date leadership training through the TEEX Leadership Development Symposium. Topics include leadership, management, safety, budgeting, and more. The 2023 Leadership Development Symposium will be held on January 9-11, 2023 in Frisco, TX! For event details, registration and hotel reservation information follow the link.

Grey Matters to Firefighters is hosting a golf tournament to raise funds for cancer research. The event will take place on Oct. 24 at 7:00 a.m. at the Irving Golf Club on 2000 E Shady Grove Rd. Registration is open for a limited time and will close on Monday, Oct. 17.

Grey Matters to Firefighters (Fighting for a Cure for Brain Cancer) is dedicated to raising awareness of the cancer risks Firefighters face daily, to promote cancer prevention and to collect donations to fund Brain Cancer Research. All proceeds from the tournament will go toward their mission.

To register and learn more, follow the link below.  If you have any questions, contact Donna Arellano at 214-674-3472 or GreyMatters2Firefighters@gmail.com

Inspired by the Texas Fire Chief’s Annual Workshop, this gathering is designed specifically for the Second in Command. Attendees will tackle common challenges encountered in their position and will discuss innovations and strategies used in departments throughout Texas. Past history shows that these formal and informal conversations provide dynamic networking opportunities made possible by the diverse and talented professionals of the Texas Fire Service.

Class size is limited, so please make plans now to attend. This class is open to all fire service personnel who are considered Second in Command to their Head of Department. There are no prerequisites to attend this Workshop.

The Workshop will take place from January 23–25, 2023 at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, 177 Joe Routt Blvd. 

REGISTER TODAY | BOOK HOTEL ONLINE | LEARN MORE & BECOME A SPONSOR

Fire Department administrative staff carry a heavy burden. Without a strong administrative staff, organizations cannot achieve their full potential and operate efficiently. The goal of this conference is to provide position-specific training and development opportunities and to help connect FIRE/EMS administrative staff members enabling them to provide the highest level of support possible.

This event will be held in conjunction with the currently scheduled 2nd in Command Workshop in College Station.

You do not have to have a membership with TFCA to attend this course if your Fire Chief or Department has an active TFCA membership.

REGISTER TODAY | BOOK HOTEL ONLINE | LEARN MORE & BECOME A SPONOSR

IAFC’s inaugural Technology Summit International will bring leaders and innovators from around the globe to Irving, Texas for three jam-packed days of education, networking, and exploring the technology of the fire service’s future. In this event you will learn how to overcome the challenges of understanding, selecting, buying, and deploying technology in your department. You will also learn how to make technology work for you to reduce risks, improve your department’s ability to respond to emergencies, and save lives. Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services (TEEX) will also be offereing 15+ CE credits.
 
Speakers include the US Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, CPSE CEO Preet Bassi, Department of Homeland Security Science Advisor Dr. David J. Alexander, Jason Moats Ph.D. TEEX Testing and Innovation Center and many more.
 
Register now to get a glimpse into the future of the fire service. Does your budget cycle start October 1? Not to worry! Register today and select ‘Pay by check’ to pay your registration fees when funds are available.
 
TFCA Members have earned $100 off registration prices. Use code TSI100
Or use this link to register https://iafc.swoogo.com/TSI2022/begin?code=TSI100

The Cowtown Cancer Coalition is hosting the Fire Service Cancer Conference on Nov. 2-3 at the Tarrant County College - Fire Service Training Center, 4801 Marine Creek Parkway. The Cowtown Cancer Coalition's mission is to reduce firefighter cancer through prevention, education, and early recognition, and they invite members of the fire services and their families to attend the conference and learn from renowned national speakers on cancer in the fire service community.

Martinez Architects, LP
Casco Industries, Inc.
INDUSTRY NEWS
SOURCE: NFPA
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™). Every U.S. president since 1925 has signed a proclamation for Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health observance on record. Though we have made significant progress toward fire prevention over the past 100 years, there are still areas to improve.   According to a new report,, we are currently witnessing the highest number of U.S. home fire deaths since 2005. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”, was chosen with this in mind.

SOURCE: Miami Herald
In the days following Hurricane Ian, the extent of the devastation the storm left behind is slowly being uncovered as rescue teams work to find survivors and count the dead. “We end up in this paradise, but next to us is an apocalypse,” one Miami-Dade firefighter said.

The effects of this devastation include the mental health of emergency responders in the wake of catastrophic events. Hurricanes can trigger anxiety, PTSD and uncertainty about the future. Mental-health providers are still working with families who survived Hurricane Michael, the Category 5 storm that hit Florida’s Panhandle in 2018.

SOURCE: Pizza Marketplace
In honor of Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15, participating Domino's Pizza stores is working with the NFPA to bring awareness to this year’s safety campaign theme by including informational flyers with ever order. Some orders will also be delivered by fire engine. If the smoke alarms in the home are working, the pizza will be free. If the alarms are not working, the firefighters will replace the batteries or install fully functioning alarms for free.

TEXAS STATE NEWS
SOURCE: LEXIPOL, EMS1
Dalhart Volunteer Fire Department Chief Curtis Brown and Firefighter Brendan Torres passed away Tuesday night when the department vehicle they were in collided with a semi. An investigation is ongoing.

“As more information becomes available of funeral services, we will release that information. Please give the families, Firefighters, and their families space and time as we figure out how to move forward,” the Dalhart Volunteer Fire Dept said in a Facebook post.

Wade was just 31 years old when he was diagnosed with colon cancer.  The CDC recommends regularly screenings by age 45. Wade’s diagnoses came as a shock to Flower Mound, who supported him through the difficult news. According to the National Association of Firefighters, occupational cancer is the leading cause of death for firefighters.

SOURCE: Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott
On Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy additional state resources to support Florida's response and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

"The State of Texas will continue supporting Floridians in need as their state recovers from the significant damage caused by Hurricane Ian," said Governor Abbott. "The scope of this disaster requires a comprehensive response, and we are providing the resources needed to help affected communities. Texas will keep swiftly deploying ongoing relief assistance as those impacted by this devastating storm rebuild and move forward."

iPlanTables
Emergicon , LLC.
TEEX NEWS
The NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor II course is designed to meet the needs of entry-level fire and emergency service instructors by meeting or exceeding the job performance requirements in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, Chapter 5 “Fire Instructor II.” 

Upon completion of this course you are eligible to take the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) written exam and skills testing.  Participants that receive a Pro Board certification are eligible for certification through Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) through reciprocity. In addition, participants can apply for certification through State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association (SFFMA).

On Duty Health
Komatsu Architecture
FIRE LAW BLOG
  
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup, Curt discusses a lawsuit filed by an Oregon woman who claims she was sexually abused and given stolen drugs by a fire department paramedic; a lawsuit filed by a Rhode Island city against a firefighters’ union claiming that certain current and retired firefighters owe the city $385,000 in overpayments that the city allegedly made back in 2013; a suit filed by a Columbia fire captain who was terminated over comments he posted online that were critical of law enforcement following a shooting death of one of his relatives; a wrongful termination suit filed by an Ohio firefighter-medic who was dismissed after he conducted a court ordered blood-draw from an impaired driving suspect; and civil claims filed by Walmart following a major fire in a distribution warehouse.

HONORING OUR CRAFT
  
In this short but humorous video, the Fire Department Chronicles host illustrates the contrast between the questions he actually asks and the questions his think they heard.

  
With record-high temperatures in California and other parts of the western United States this month, the conversation around how heat waves influence wildfire has been in the media, but what is the truth? This informative episode of NFPA Journal's, Learn Something New examines the relationship between extreme heat and wildfire and explains what increases the risk of wildfire.

LEADERSHIP
  
In this Fire Engineering video, Rick Lasky, Scott Thompson, Terry McGrath, Bobby Halton, and John Salka reflect on the future of leadership in the fire service, from firefighter to company officer to chief.