Promote, Unify, Represent and Educate the Fire Service of Texas

August 2021

Upcoming Recruitment and Retention Workshops

SAVE THE DATE! Classes in Austin, Tyler and Lubbock *See Flyer*

Register Here!

* AUSTIN * Dates: September 25 - 26, 2021 Times: Saturday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Location: SFFMA Office Address: 707 W FM 1626, Austin, TX 78748 Hotel Block: Hampton Inn Buda

* TYLER * Dates: October 23 - 24, 2021 Times: Saturday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Location: Courtyard Marriott Tyler Address: 7424 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703 Room Block Name: SFFMA R&R Workshop

* LUBBOCK * Dates: November 6 - 7, 2021 Times: Saturday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Location: Hyatt Place Lubbock Address: 2309 Mac Davis Ln, Lubbock, TX 79401 Room Block Name: SFFMA Texas

Certification Update Update for 2021 Updated wording for the FOUR 1002: Driver/Operator certifications goes into effect January 1, 2022. We have the documentation posted HERE for review. Certification Board Vacancies There are currently two vacancies on the Certification Board. Zone 13 (northeastern side of Permian Basin District) and Zone 15 (Wintergarden District) are currently unrepresented in decisions made by the Board. To appoint a prospective new Board Member, the District must submit their name and resume in writing to the President (Tim Smith) and Executive Director (Tim Rutland) of the SFFMA. The President of the SFFMA fills vacancies due to unexpired terms caused by any reason. To serve as a Certification Board Zone Representative, individuals must meet all of the following requirements: reside in the Zone to be represented, and be active in that District; be an active, retired or honorary life member of a regularly organized volunteer or combination fire department that holds current membership in the SFFMA; maintain a current individual membership in the SFFMA; have at least eight (8) years of experience with a recognized fire department or combination of recognized fire departments; hold at least an SFFMA Firefighter I certification; neet the instructional criteria for Certification Coordinator; and attend a majority of meetings each year.

New Member Benefit - AMBA SFFMA is working harder than ever to support our members and to provide new and innovative ways to enhance your career.  Introducing new discounts and benefits to promote your physical and financial health!   We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA), an industry leader specializing in providing discounts and benefits for members like you. AMBA offers a discount program that stretches your dollars in all kinds of ways. You’ll enjoy exclusive savings on: • Restaurants • Travel • Apple and Dell computers • Rental cars • Lodging • Cruises and more Dental Insurance - Get quality coverage at affordable single or family rates—no network required, no waiting period during open enrollment. Low calendar-year deductibles and significant savings on covered procedures can help you protect your savings as well as your health. Vision Insurance - The average eye exam and glasses cost more than $450. Fortunately, help is in sight. With low rates, easy copays, and out-of-network reimbursements, a plan from VSP can help you save hundreds of dollars on everything from comprehensive exams to eyewear.   Connect with AMBA to explore your exclusive, members-only dental and vision plans by visiting our website or by calling 844-385-4359 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CT. 

EMS Responder of the Year and Firefighter of the Year Awards During the SFFMA Business Conference in Lubbock, SFFMA and VFIS of Texas presented the EMS Responder of the Year and the Firefighter of the Year awards. ​ SFFMA Chaplain Ben Kennedy and VFIS of Texas President Barbara Marzean awarded Chad Reswik from Edgecliff Village the EMS Responder of the Year, and Brandon Heard from Edgecliff Village the Firefighter of the Year. 

Hear what Savvik Association Partners have to say: 

Savvik Weekly Savings Shop COVID-19 Tests in the Savvik Store. **$13 Per Test** A rapid test for the qualitative detection of Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 antigen in a nasopharyngeal swab. Relative Sensitivity 95% - Relative Specificity 99.2%, Relative Accuracy 99.8% - Fast & Easy Positive results as fast as 5 minutes - Room Temperature Storage - 25 Sterile Nasopharyngeal Swabs - 25 Buffer Tubes - Work Station - Package Insert.

Volunteer First Responder Housing Act Introduced in Congress Legislation introduced in the U.S. House and Senate would make volunteer fire and EMS personnel eligible for federal housing assistance programs, which would provide an incentive that may help departments with recruitment and retention. Learn more about the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act here. Last Chance! Apply for a CSU Scholarship by August 25 Thinking about furthering your education? Now’s your chance to do so for free! Columbia Southern University (CSU) is offering two scholarships to NVFC members. Each scholarship covers up to 60 credit hours towards any one of CSU’s online degree programs. The deadline is August 25, so apply now. If you’re not an NVFC member, join for $18 to be eligible to apply.

Practical Pipelines Have you checked out your county Pipeline Safety Webpage? Be inspired, Not Lectured. Practical Pipelines is making current and localized pipeline safety training resources accessible for all responders. TRAIN. PREPARE. PREVENT Train your way, earn wings and recognition, unlock new content each year.

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SFFMA Store New from IFSTA:  Introduction to Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response, 1st Edition This first edition of Fire Protection Publications' Introduction to Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response defines how to establish an ASHER training program on the local level, how to conduct threat assessment of your community, how to coordinate response with other responders and how to recover from an ASHE. Ours is the only fire service training manual available on this topic. The manual addresses NFPA 3000™, Standard for an Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) Program. New from Jones and Bartlett: Chief Officer: Principles and Practice w/Navigate 2 Advantage, 3rd Edition The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) are pleased to present you with the third edition of Chief Officer: Principles and Practice. The Third Edition addresses both Fire Officer III and Fire Officer IV levels of the 2020 Edition of NFPA 1021: Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications and is designed to help future chief officers as they transition from company officer and become problem-solving leaders for their organization.   Visit our online store for all the latest training materials and the best prices on HAIX boots and to see SFFMA logoed merchandise!