Promote, Unify, Represent and Educate the Fire Service of Texas |
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Executive Director's Corner |
Greetings members,
I hope you were able to enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday. It’s been great visiting with you as I’ve been able to attend some of the fall district meetings, plus some of the various chiefs’ and firefighters’ association meetings. While I appreciate the technology that provides the ability to conduct meetings from a distance, I’m convinced that Zoom will never be able to compete with in-person gatherings. I hope that I and the executive board members who’ve been making the rounds have been able to bring you up to speed on the work being done to make the association better. As always, if you have any questions that haven’t been addressed, please shoot me an email. I’ll do my very best to get it answered.
I’m sure some of this will be covered in more detail in this newsletter, but just as a quick update: Certification testing via the new online platform is underway and appears to be working well; our data system designer is hard at work building the replacement for Growth Zone; I have contracted with an individual to build a new website for us; and planning is underway for the 2022 conference in Beaumont.
Let’s finish the year strong! Take care, stay safe, and make a point to enjoy the upcoming Christmas season. I’ll see you out there at some point.
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Data Management System Update |
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Good news! Tim and I had a meeting with the contractor designing the website and the new Member Application. A lot of progress was made in a short amount of time. It still isn’t ready for prime time yet, as most of the content was placeholder stuff and it may be confusing in the wrong context. The plan is to get staff involved in crafting the appropriate language for the new site once they get some free time.
As for the Application development, I am wrapping up the Content Configuration System which allows staff to create new certifications, tests, skills, etc., without the need for additional programming. It is a dynamic rule system that once in place can automate most of the application process, meaning a massive reduction in the time it takes to apply for a certification, upload training, view your personal records, etc.
It took a bit of time and a lot of impromptu meetings to make sure staff has enough dials to tweak the system as needed to capture the current rules and future rules that may come into play.
Special thanks to Kevin at SFFMA, he has been big help with his long career and obscure knowledge. It has been invaluable.
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Certification Update
At their recent meeting, the Certification Board voted to no longer issue 1001: Live Fire Prerequisite training completion certificates. In 2015, the Board sought to break up the NFPA Firefighter I curriculum because it was very large in order to encourage retention. Since the HazMat curriculum was removed and most applicants are skipping application for the LFP level and going directly to Firefighter I, the need for the break has gone away. As of now, applicants for 1001: Firefighter I will still need to complete the 1001: Live Fire Prerequisite objectives as they are a subset of the NFPA Firefighter I curriculum. With the introduction of the new programming later in 2022, the objectives will merge into one section. Please contact us if you have questions.
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Membership News
2022 is almost here and it is time to renew your membership with SFFMA. We are working really hard to keep up with the mail as departments and members renew. If you have any questions, please email Luis or Teresa and they will be happy to help.
Some of you have already renewed and have probably received your membership packet in the mail. Click here for a chart explaining the certification codes used on your membership cards. You may view all the benefits that come with membership online on our website.
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SFFMA Written Testing Now Available Electronically
SFFMA Certification staff and the Certification Board have been at work developing an electronic testing system, and as of September 25 of this year, Certification staff have traveled to nine locations around the state, proctoring 281 tests on the new online platform. HazMat, Firefighter 1, and Firefighter 2 tests with in-person proctoring are now available to our members for your convenience. Each test takes one hour, and results are available immediately.
In addition to administering tests at local fire departments, we are currently developing relationships with testing centers around the state for group and individual tests. If you are a Certification Coordinator who would like to schedule testing for your department members, please contact us.
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2022 Fire Chief Development Program
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We currently have a limited number of spaces still available in our 2022 Fire Chief Development program. Originally created in 2017, the Chief’s Academy is intended to provide current and aspiring fire chiefs or assistant/deputy chiefs with the information they need to meet the changing demands of managing, improving and directing volunteer and combination departments of all sizes.
This year’s program will be a 64‐hour program of leadership topics taught by SFFMA leaders over a period of four weekends at SFFMA offices in Manchaca, Texas. Participants are also expected to complete a series of out‐of‐class assignments designed to enhance and validate the training received. All four weekends must be attended in order to graduate.
The cost of the class is $265 per phase/weekend and has been approved by the Texas A&M Forest Service for HB2604 reimbursement. For those departments that qualify for HB2604 funding, the only out‐of‐pocket costs to participants will be their time, fuel costs, and incidentals.
If you are interested in this program, please email us with questions and/or to reserve a space. Be sure to include your name, rank and department. Registration is limited to three participants per department until spaces are filled. Please click here to view the class schedule, including dates and instructional topics.
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Texas All-Hazard Incident Management Team Accepting Applications |
The Texas All-Hazard Incident Management Team (AHIMT) Program is now accepting applications for the six newly established State Incident Management Teams. The application is currently open to any local government employee and will close on January 7, 2022.
Beginning in June 2022, the program will utilize the State AHIMTs to provide incident management support for State Mission Assignments. These teams will provide expertise in ICS Functional Areas: Incident Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. Teams will be mobilized by the State Operations Center to assist the Authority Having Jurisdiction with incident stabilization. The Program will maintain a scheduled rotation for team availability and will work with the SOC to mobilize available teams. The Program will ensure that the appropriate administrative and logistical support is provided to the teams.
We are seeking highly motivated emergency and incident management professionals to participate in the program. Participants are expected to be actively engaged in the program by attending team meetings, training and exercise events, and availability for assignments. Team selections will be made in the beginning of 2022. For questions, please email us.
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Help for an SFFMA Member in Need
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Chastity LeBlanc has been in EMS for over 25 years, including 20 years as a paramedic and 18 as a full-time nurse. She's also been a member of Grapeland VFD/EMS for many years; however, due to the sudden onset of some very serious medical conditions, she's been unable to volunteer or work for months, and she's now trying to raise the funds needed to begin treatment at an out-of-state facility in February. If you would like to learn more about her story and about how you can help Chastity, please visit her Facebook page or her Go Fund Me account.
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12 Days of Savvik Giveaway ($511)
Savvik is launching their 2021 - 12 Days of Christmas $511 Giveaway! Not only will Savvik members have an opportunity to win $511 to use in the Savvik Online Store, but
We will give the Association with the most registrations $511!
The daily drawing will run from December 8-23, 2021 (excluding weekends). Twelve lucky Savvik member winners will be picked to receive the prize!
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Enrollment Now Open
Enroll now in the Rural VFD Insurance Program (HB 3667) with the Texas A&M Forest Service. This grant program is designed to reimburse eligible volunteer fire departments for the purpose of insurance from private insurance companies. Eligible coverage includes any combination of compensation insurance for firefighters (workers' compensation, accidental death and dismemberment, group term life, accident and sickness, and/or cancer-related insurance) purchased from Texas insurance companies. The program will reimburse 100% of the actual cost of eligible insurance coverage up to a maximum of $185 per fire department member.
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SFFMA Office - Holiday Hours
Our office will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday from December 23-27, 2021, and for the New Year from December 30-January 3, 2022. We wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year!
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SFFMA Store
New item now available! Men's short-sleeved polo shirt in teal. Visit the store here. Order now for delivery prior to Christmas!
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Conference News and Events |
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SFFMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND MEMORIAL SERVICE
June 24 - 29, 2022
LODGING
Host Hotel: MCM ELEGANTE – 2355 I-10 South, Beaumont, TX 77705. For reservations call 409-842-3600. Be sure to ask for the 2022 SFFMA Annual Conference to receive the special group rate. For directions, hotel amenities, dining and additional information about MCM Elegante, visit their website.
Additional rooms available at Courtyard by Marriott – 2275 I-10 South, Beaumont, TX 77705. For reservations call 409-840-5750. Ask for the 2022 SFFMA Annual Conference to receive the special group rate. For directions, hotel amenities, and additional information about Courtyard Hotel, click here.
CONFERENCE PLANNING
Meetings to be held JANUARY 28, 2022
Planning sessions for the June conference will take place at the SFFMA office on Friday, January 28, with an Executive Board meeting following on January 29.
The following Committees will need to meet prior to the Planning Meetings on January 28 and send representatives from your committee to the planning session:
- Certification Board
- Constitution and Bylaws
- Driving Contest
- Pumper Races
- Exhibits
- Memorial Committee
- Poster Committee
- Sergeant at Arms
- Speakers/Training
- T-Flag
If you are the chair of one of these committees, please meet with your committee prior to January 28 and assign one or two committee members to meet with the board during planning sessions.
Committee meetings can be held via Zoom or in person. If you need help setting up a Zoom meeting for your committee, we’ll be glad to facilitate a Zoom meeting for your group. Or if you would prefer to meet in person and need a meeting location, we can host your group at the SFFMA office. Any questions or concerns regarding conference planning can be directed to Heather Lundy at 512-454-3473 ext. 112
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