Promote, Unify, Represent and Educate the Fire Service of Texas
Update Your Department Rosters
It's almost time for the annual SFFMA membership renewal process to begin. We will be creating and distributing invoices during the first week of December. 
 
In preparation for that process, we ask that you take a look at your department’s current membership roster and make sure that it is accurate: adding members who need to be included, and removing those who should no longer be associated with the department. Keep in mind that we require the date of birth and LAST FOUR numbers of the SSN for each new member added. Taking this step now will provide for a more accurate invoice and make the renewal process much smoother.

If you have not yet accessed your department’s online profile, please contact the SFFMA office immediately for your login. Please email membership for this information, or call our office at 512-454-3473 ext. 104. If you require help navigating our new software, we encourage you to use the “How-to/Training” page located on our website . On this page we have video tutorials, as well as PowerPoint presentations to walk you through the features of our new system.
 
Please feel free to contact a member of the SFFMA staff if you have any questions. Thank you for your assistance!
Certification Update
 At their July meeting, the SFFMA Certification Board decided to make the following changes to the certification program effective January 1, 2020 :

1)       Move hazardous materials training out of SFFMA Firefighter I and create a new stand-alone HazMat Awareness and Operations certification.
2)       Separate exams to simplify retesting on just one portion.
3)       Make completion of Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations -- including exam -- prerequisite to the issuance of full Firefighter I.
4)       Applicants for Firefighter I are no longer required to additionally file for Live Fire Prerequisite level, as long as the training has been marked as completed.

Austin staff are working to have the certifications and new application forms ready for a speedy implementation on January 1, 2020.

Individuals currently holding active Firefighter I training completion certification will see their records amended (grandfathered) to show the new HazMat certification updated to the same status. A new HazMat testing line item will begin to appear on records as well.

IFSAC/ProBoard/TCFP Certification Reciprocity

Individuals who hold either an IFSAC, ProBoard, or TCFP certification over a specific NFPA topic have, by definition, already documented all of the necessary training for that topic and have successfully passed an examination. There is no need to require individuals to repeat training over basic training materials if they hold one of these certifications.

Rural VFD Insurance Program - Enrollment Now Open

The Rural Volunteer Fire Department Insurance Program (HB 3667) is a grant program designed to reimburse eligible VFDs for the purpose of obtaining 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 $175 per fire department member. Click here to apply now!
First Alert/NVFC Partner on Fire Extinguisher Training For VFDs

First Alert and NVFC have developed a new fire extinguisher training course for volunteer fire departments nationwide, supplemented by an extinguisher donation program for community outreach initiatives. Called “Home Fire Preparedness: Fire Extinguisher Best Practices,” the course educates VFD personnel about the role fire extinguishers can play in fire safety, and how proper extinguisher placement and maintenance can help reduce the risk of severe fire incidents. The course is now available in the NVFC Virtual Classroom, which may be accessed on our website , and will be free for the first 500 participants -- compliments of First Alert. Read on
Encountering Those Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia on a Call
As a firefighter, you’re called upon 24/7 for situations ranging from an overheated backyard grill, to a big box fire, to a trench incident, to a traffic accident, and more. Your tools include not only hoses and nozzles, but also turnout gear, a Halligan tool, pikes, SCBA, sheets of plywood (trench incidents), and in some cases, even dog- and cat-sized oxygen masks for the family pet.
 
But what’s on your truck for responding to an individual living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? If you haven’t yet encountered this on the fireground or in other calls, you probably will, and sooner rather than later. Did you know that:

  • Approximately 390,000 Texans are living with Alzheimer’s?
  • Texas ranks 4th in the nation in the number of Alzheimer’s cases, and 2nd in Alzheimer’s deaths? 
  • Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the nation?
  • Someone develops the disease every 65 seconds?

People with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia can unknowingly put themselves and others in dangerous situations. Understanding the disease is key to ensuring you make the right response. Read full story

New releases! I FSTA's Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, 9th Edition is now available, as well as Jones and Bartlett's Fire and Emergency Services Instructor: Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition . Visit our online store for all the latest training materials, to find deals on HAIX boots, and to see new SFFMA logoed merchandise! And if you're in the area, you may also order for pickup in-store!