Promote, Unify, Educate the Fire Service of Texas

SFFMA Prepares for New Software Launch
We are in the final stages of preparing the next phase of the rollout of our new software to ALL Fire Chiefs and Training Coordinators across the state.  We will continue rolling out the software in a methodical approach so that the system is not overloaded with hundreds of people all activating their login all at the same time.
 
Chiefs and coordinators will be get a notice from our system (as long as we have your email address in our database) in the next couple of weeks to activate your account. It is imperative that once the email is received, you click the link inside the email in order to activate your account login. It is recommended that Chiefs and Coordinators go to our website , then to the "How To" link at the top of the page to watch some of the videos on how to perform certain functions.
 
Individual firefighters/members of SFFMA will be getting an activation email in the next four weeks. This will allow members to access the “InfoHub” where members can see their certification progress, print out certifications, access directories, update contact information, reset passwords, etc.
 
Once launched, we will evaluate the system, procedures and work on input received from the beta testers.
 
Many thanks go out to the Atascocita , Cy-Fair, Harris County ESD #48 and North Hays County Fire Departments for their participation and for the time it has taken to test the system and to provide input on this new association and certification software.
Fire Chief, Coordinator, General Membership Access Coming Very Soon
Access to the new membership management software coming. Since this is a cloud- based system, please make sure that your internet browser has been updated with the latest software updates. Our new program works best with Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari. The better internet connection speed you have, the better experience you will have entering data, running reports or using the system. If you are still using Internet Explorer, you will most likely have difficulties with the system.
SFFMA Office “Closed” July 30-Aug 3
The SFFMA Office will be “closed” to allow staff to catch up on administrative tasks such as pending/delayed processing of applications, membership processing, mailouts, etc. Delays have been caused by activities over the last several months such as pre-conference planning, conference, new software testing/rollout, fire schools, staff illness, etc. Staff will be at the office but will not be receiving phone calls or new requests for information so that they may strictly focus on processing outstanding memberships, certifications, performing database updates, etc. You may still email sales orders or place orders online for books, however. Urgent needs for assistance should be sent to appropriate staff via email with a high priority or urgent matter in the subject line. Thank you.
SFFMA Office Personnel Updates
SFFMA’s Event Planner Leaving the Association

After almost 9 years of working for the association, Gabi Glass will be leaving SFFMA on August 1 to spend time with her family and friends in Prague, CZ.  Gabi has been an integral part of the association since September of 2009 and has done tremendous work to make our conferences better, more streamlined, and more efficient for our attendees.  She has also been the newsletter editor since joining the association and has done tremendous work to keep our publications current with relevant news and information.  Gabi also served as our unofficial photographer, coordinated all events for the fire chiefs academy, special press conferences, etc.  

Gabi has agreed to do some contract work for SFFMA and will be working on our fall magazine and annual conference proceedings. Gabi will be greatly missed by staff, the executive board and all those who had worked with her on various events. We wish Gabi the best in her new adventure in life and spending more quality time with her family and parents in the hometown where she grew up.

SFFMA’s Certification Administrator Update
 
Kevin Creamer has been suffering from an unknown illness for a couple of months causing him to be in and out of the office.  After extensive tests, Kevin was admitted to the hospital and has been undergoing treatment. Kevin has just recently been discharged from the hospital and his condition is continuing to improve. SFFMA staff are doing their best to respond to inquiries, testing, etc., while he is periodically in and out of the office, so please pardon the delay.
Certification Board Reminder: Follow the Chain of Command
The Certification Board would like to remind you to please follow the chain of command if you have questions regarding SFFMA’s certifications.  
 
Firefighters should first ask their department’s own training coordinator, then check our website and if your question still cannot be answered, and finally, contact the zone representative for your area if you still need help.  Your zone representative provides a quicker response to your questions and there are more zone representatives across the state than there are certification staff. Testing dates, locations, and eligibility listings along with registering for a test can be found here.
Report Says First Responders Most Likely to Die by Suicide
A report by the Ruderman Family Foundation shows 103 firefighter suicides and 140 police officer suicides in 2017. That compares to 93 deaths in the line of duty among firefighter and 129 among police last year, meaning first responders are more likely to die by their own hand than on the job. Texas leads the country in number of cumulative suicides among firefighters, according to statistics from the FBHA. Of 1,157 firefighter suicides dating as far back as 1880 in the United States, 75 have occurred in Texas. Read full story
I want to take this time to express my sincere appreciation to the membership of the SFFMA for electing me 4 th Vice President during the 142 nd Annual Training Conference and Convention in Arlington, Texas. I am truly honored and humbled by your trust and support in me for this prestigious position. I will do my very best to live up to each of your expectations and fight for those things that make it better for our members as a whole, and the association.
D on't forget to visit the new SFFMA store for deals on books, instructor curriculum, HAIX boots and more! Departments can have sales tax removed from orders placed online immediately upon request.