Promote, Unify, Represent and Educate the Fire Service of Texas |
|
Executive Director's Corner |
Greetings all,
Association activities are in full swing this spring. Districts have meetings on the calendar; certification testing is back on track around the state; development is underway with the new data management system and website for SFFMA; and planning is underway for the annual June conference in Beaumont.
Regarding the conference: We anticipate being back to the “traditional” schedule for the conference again this year, with activities starting on the afternoon of Friday, June 24 with committee meetings, the opening of the vendor show that evening, and conference activities continuing through noon on Wednesday, June 29 with the closing business session. There will be several important items requiring the vote of association members this time. Delegates will select the cities for both the 2024 and 2025 conferences, which will put us back on schedule as far as conference planning. There will also be several important constitution & by-laws amendments on the ballot for consideration and action; these will be posted to the website following approval by the C&BL Committee. Expect the online conference registration module to be available on the website starting April 1.
Perhaps as important as the above is the opportunity to come together in one place as a community…to visit, fellowship, discuss, learn, celebrate, remember, and plan. I hope that each of you can set aside time to be a part of it all in Beaumont this year. So much of what happens each year in our conferences sets the path for where we go as an association for the next year. I encourage you to help set that path for your department, your district, and the fire service statewide.
See you in Beaumont (if not before)!
Tim Rutland
|
|
Certification Workshops
Since they have been so well received, we will continue to supplement the in-person Certification Workshops on a monthly basis via Zoom through at least the end of 2022. Scheduled workshops appear on the Certification Workshop calendar on the website.
While workshop attendance is a requirement for all Coordinators in the state, we recommend attendance to anyone who is interested in knowing more about the program and processes.
Live Fire Prerequisite
In order to better explain what the training encompasses, the 1001: Live Fire Prerequisite certification line in Growth Zone is now listed as 1001: FF I Trng (Prereq to Start Live Fire). There was some misunderstanding, but these are the category areas from the Firefighter I curriculum prerequisite to an individual starting live fire training per NFPA 1403.
|
|
|
|
Thank you for your membership commitment to SFFMA! As is always the case it has been a very busy membership renewal season. Renewal invoices were mailed out to departments in mid-November, with an official deadline of March 1.
Although the system inactivated the memberships of departments and individuals who had not renewed by the March deadline, there is always the opportunity to re-activate your membership. If you were unable to take care of your renewal by the deadline but wish to do so, send an email to us and someone from staff will make reach out and get you back on track.
Aside from the critically important certification program offered through SFFMA, we find that association members are often not familiar with all the other benefits available to them as part of that membership. Next month we will begin discussing those benefits so that our members can be aware, and take full advantage of the opportunities. In addition, we are always on the lookout for new benefits that we can possibly add to the growing list. If you are aware of a program, etc., not on our list that might serve to help our membership, please don’t hesitate to bring it to our attention, and we will explore the possibilities.
|
|
Data Management System Update |
Hello everyone,
Hope you all had a happy St. Patrick's Day.
We have started development on the external application that will replace GrowthZone. After a lot of thinking and meetings, we have decided to split the application into 3 sections:
- The individual's application: will house everything pertaining to you as a person.
- The Entity application: will be the portal for all entities whether they are fire departments, fire marshals, training establishments, etc.
- The final application would be the Executive application. This will only be for the executive and certification board.
There will only be one entry point, thus only one login. Everyone will start on their individual account, then depending on access levels you will be permitted to manage entities, districts, etc.
As an aside, staff will have their own application to manage the rules and data of the system with a different login and interface.
Work has been done with the goal of making a public API available, so if anyone is interested, they could tie into the new system from within their own firehouse management software.
Well, that's all for this month. Next month will include screenshots, so stay tuned!
|
|
|
|
Rowlett Explorer Post One is NVFC's National Junior Firefighter Program of the Year
|
|
Rowlett (TX) Explorer Post One is chartered by the Rowlett Citizen Corps Council and sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) Learning for Life Exploring Program. The post works closely with the Rowlett Fire Department to integrate training and opportunities for learning where possible.
The program develops in its members a culture of leadership, service to others, and a commitment to community involvement. The Explorers participate in or host many events including preparedness education, fire extinguisher training, smoke alarm blitzes, recycling drives, merit badge seminars, and first aid trainings. Each year the Explorers donate thousands of hours in volunteer service. Read more here.
|
|
State Conference Pumper Races
Are you ready to race? Don't forget to have your pumper race teams registered with race chairman Stephen Donnelly before June 1. Early registration is important and determines whether or not we'll have enough teams participating to allow space for it in the conference schedule. You can always make changes to individual team members after June 1 if necessary. Contact Stephen via email to register or with questions.
|
|
Wintergarden District Spring Meeting
Wintergarden District Spring Convention will be held in Camp Wood, Texas at the Camp Wood Fire Station on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Meeting starts at 10:00 a.m. with lunch and pumper race to follow.
Contact Jerry Rust with questions via email.
|
|
SFFMA Written Test Checklist for Certification Coordinators
|
|
SFFMA is currently offering written testing for HazMat Awareness, HazMat Operations, Firefighter1 and Firefighter2. Before signing your firefighters up, use this checklist -- the following steps MUST be completed to be eligible for testing:
- Candidate’s full name, date of birth, last 4 of Social Security number, and email are on file in Growthzone
- Candidate’s Courage to be Safe, Traffic Incident Management, and Live Fire Prerequisite are 100% complete and marked Active in Growthzone by Certification Coordinator
- Department dues and Individual Member dues are current
- Certification Coordinator is current on CC Workshop requirement
-
Applications for the desired certification (HazMat/FF1/FF2) are SIGNED by the candidate, Fire Chief and Certification Coordinator, and have been received by SFFMA via mail or email -- application processing fees are paid
- Objectives for desired certification (HazMat/FF1/FF2) are 100% complete and entered in Growthzone by Certification Coordinator
When the above requirements are completed, Certification Coordinators may register their members for a test session by going to the Written Exam Calendar here, or by emailing us to inquire about testing opportunities and/or arrange a group test session.
|
|
 |
Submit Your Nominations for the Heather Schafer Memorial Scholarship by March 31
Four deserving fire and EMS personnel will be recognized this year through the inaugural Heather Schafer Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes exemplary emerging leaders in public safety who are committed to improving the fire and emergency services in the areas of health, safety, recruitment, retention, department culture, and emergency response. Nominate someone now!
|
|
|
|
Register Now for the NVFC Health and Safety Training Summit
Registration is now open for the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) 2022 Health and Safety Training Summit. The Summit will take place Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25, in Orlando, FL. The conference is open to all volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, department leadership, and other fire department personnel from across the United States. Click here to register now.
|
|
|
|
Conference News and Events |
SFFMA Annual Training Conference
June 24 - 29, 2022
Beaumont, Texas
Conference Registration will be available online beginning April 4.
Reservations for lodging are open!
Hotel info: MCM Elegante, 2355 I-10 South, Beaumont, TX 77705.
For reservations: 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
Courtyard Hotel Reservations: 409-840-5750. Be sure to ask for the 2022 SFFMA Annual Conference to receive the special group rate. Online reservations are not available for this hotel
For directions, hotel amenities, and additional information about Courtyard Hotel visit their website.
|
|
|
|
In an effort to again thank First Responders for all that they do, including the seemingly impossible efforts needed to overcome the challenges of recent times, California Casualty launches its 2022 Work Hard/Play Hard “$10,000 Camping” giveaway.
The contest invites all interested firefighters, EMTs and law enforcement to enter to win $10,000 to purchase outdoor gear that lets them disconnect from the hectic, fast-paced daily grind and reconnect with friends, family and nature.
It’s a prize intended to give one lucky first responder the funds needed to have the peaceful, restful, outdoor quality time they all deserve. Firefighters, EMTs and Law Enforcement officers can enter here. The deadline to enter is November 18, 2022.
|
|
|
Know someone who would like to receive our newsletter?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
