Earlier this year, our first responders came together to courageously and tirelessly fight the largest wildfire in the history of Texas. I know the sacrifices made by these heroes and while none are looking for awards or accolades, I will tip my hat to the many men and women who answered the call and stand ready to do it again. Our volunteer firefighters and responders are the heart and soul of the Texas fire service. I pray God’s protection over each and everyone.

 

In addressing the above-mentioned wildfires, the Texas House of Representatives formed an Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires. This committee was charged with conducting inquiries into the 2024 Panhandle wildfires including investigating (1) factors contributing to the wildfires (2) allocation of resources to and effectiveness of wildfire disaster preparedness and response and (3) coordination between local, state, and federal governmental entities with regard to wildfire prevention, disaster preparedness, and response.

 

Many of the responding agencies and individuals, as well as representing entities, testified over the course of three (3) days before the committee and answered questions brought forth.

 

The committee then prepared a 48-page initial interim report of its findings and recommendations for possible legislative solutions or other actions to prevent this from occurring in the future. The report very well may aide in changes being made to the HB2604 program, TIFMAS program, and the needed Job Protection Bill we desperately desire.

 

Read the initial interim report here.

 

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), as well as your SFFMA Executive Board, are closely monitoring the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed change to 29CFR 1910.156 Fire Brigade rule. They are removing “Fire Brigades” and replacing it with “Emergency Response”.

 

There is much confusion about who will be affected and who will not. If you listen to one OSHA representative, he says, “Federal OHSA states will not be governed by this rule and their volunteers will not fall under this rule.”

 

Texas is a federal OSHA state.

 

However, it is my understanding that if you want to apply for/utilize AFG, SAFER, or other types of federally funded grants, you best be in compliance with the “referenced” NFPA Standards or you can’t receive the grants.

 

Members of the NVFC Board of Directors echoed this to me. I will continue to advocate for our members to make written comments to OSHA voicing their concerns of the negative impact to their department and members, both financially and in having an adequate number of personnel.

Call me “Chicken Little” saying the “sky is falling, the sky is falling”…but I would rather err on the side of caution and be prepared than get caught sitting on our thumbs.

 

See a video about the proposed rule here.

 

The 148th SFFMA Training Conference and Convention is just 43 days away! It takes place in San Marcos June 27–30, 2024, at the Embassy Suites. Early Bird Registration ends June 7, so you still have time to make plans and attend the conference. 

 

We’ve got great speakers, hands-on training, networking and socializing, as well as awards. Don’t forget about the games and contests! We will have a live band for the dinner and dance this year.

 

Most attendees will attend 3 ½ days under the new conference format. Remember, by attending one of the Recruitment & Retention workshops, some of your travel can be reimbursed by the SAFER Grant.

 

Information on registering for the conference, the complete speaker/training schedule, and much more is available on the SFFMA website.

 

As of May 7, 2024, 14,738 individual members renewed membership for 2024 (94% of last year) and 825 entities/departments renewed (90%) of last year. These are tremendous numbers! Thank you to all our members. But there are still many departments and individuals that have not renewed yet. We encourage all fire departments to become part of this association.

 

The SAFER Grant can assist with the dues if a department is having financial difficulty. Please don’t let another department or member’s family miss out on receiving monetary benefits because the dues were not paid. As of midnight December 31, 2023, benefits expired/lapsed. If you did not renew your membership…YOUR BENEFITS ARE NOT IN EFFECT!!! Please take time NOW to renew and reinstate your benefit coverage.

 

District Leaders, REACH OUT to your departments and encourage them to act!! If the department is not able to access the website to create or print their invoice, they can reach out to our member services staff for assistance. Call the office at 512-454-3473.

 

In closing, I thank each and every one of you for what you do for your department, community, district, county, the State of Texas, and the SFFMA. Please stay safe and God bless y’all.

 

Donny Boggs

SFFMA Executive Board President 2023 – 2024

979-220-0141

donald.boggs@gmail.com  

Dear Members,

 

We have been busy working to represent you, our members. As we continue our mission to serve and protect our communities across Texas, we must emphasize the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with our key stakeholders at the state level. These connections are vital to our success and ability to advance the firefighting profession.

 

Why These Relationships Matter:

1. Shared Goals: Working with key stakeholders allows us to align our efforts toward common goals, such as public safety, fire prevention, and community resilience.
2. Resource Sharing: Collaboration facilitates resource-sharing and coordinated efforts, especially critical during emergencies. We are working tirelessly to ensure our members have access to the resources they need, when they need them. These relationships open up the doors for valuable assistance and training.
3. Policy Influence: Through our collective voice, we can advocate for legislation and policies that positively impact the Texas fire service and public safety across the state.
4. Knowledge Exchange: Engaging with other organizations and agencies fosters a valuable exchange of expertise, insights, and best practices that our members can use to improve their departments and communities.

Key State Stakeholders Include:

• Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP): Collaborating with TCFP ensures that we maintain high training, certification, and safety standards. As we work toward reciprocity with our certification program, this relationship is vitally important.
• Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM): Coordination with TDEM enhances our ability to respond effectively to disasters. TDEM has access to a vast array of resources and they continue to work towards improving interoperability throughout the state.
• Texas Department of Insurance - State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO): Close ties with the SFMO enable us to align fire prevention and investigation practices for our Fire Marshal members.
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service - Emergency Services Training Institute (TEEX ESTI): Partnering with TEEX ESTI ensures access to world-class training and resources for first responders.
• Texas Forest Service (TFS) and TIFMAS: Working with TFS and TIFMAS improves statewide wildfire prevention, preparedness, and response. This also allows us access to valuable resources for our member departments in times of need.

Our Path Forward:

1. Active Engagement: Attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and events organized by these stakeholders to strengthen our presence and involvement.
2. Collaborative Initiatives: Propose joint training exercises, community outreach programs, and other collaborative projects between member organizations and our stakeholder community.
3. Open Communication: Establish regular communication channels to share updates, insights, and needs.
4. Unified Advocacy: Partner in advocating for policies that improve the Texas fire service and support firefighters across Texas and beyond.

Together, through purposeful engagement and collaboration, we can build stronger partnerships and enhance the safety and well-being of our communities. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and service. 

 

Stay safe,

 

Dan Kramer

Executive Director

State Firefighters and Fire Marshals Association of Texas 

dkramer@sffma.org

 

 

 

*Not open to professional photographers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's head over to Flatonia. This town of about 1,300 is on I-10 half way between Houston and San Antonio in Fayette County. Over there, Chief Chris Swenning is facing a different experience with recruiting volunteers. 

 

The 29-year-old became chief this past December. He joined the department about four years earlier when the roster had about 30 volunteers. When he took the reins, they had 18, in part due to several retirements.

 

"Recruitment is a top priority for me," he said.

 

How does he plan to replenish the ranks?

 

He has some ideas, including speaking at city council meetings, Rotary Club, Lions Club and other civic organizations. Chris said a lot of folks don't have a good idea of what the volunteer fire department does, and he strives to change that. He also wants potential volunteers to realize they can still live a normal life and have free time.

 

"We're going to do whatever we can to get the word out," Chris said. "Word-of-mouth, hanging flyers in the local post office and in restaurants."

 

He may have an in with one restaurant in particular. His wife owns Darlin's Diner. In fact, it's why they moved from Grand Prairie where Chris's family connection to firefighting began.

 

"My grandfather served 28 years as a firefighter," he said. "Then he got into commercial truck driving." (The photo at the top of this newsletter is Chris as a youngster with his grandfather in Grand Prairie.)

 

Chris thought he was going to be a paid firefighter one day but he landed a job in logistics.

 

"I found out I was good at this," he said. "I've been doing it for seven years."

 

But the role model of his grandfather stayed with Chris.

 

"Becoming a volunteer firefighter was a way to get involved with the community," he said. "That's how I got started 

with Flatonia."

 

The department had an open house and he attended.

 

"I applied right then and there," he recalled.

 

And he remembers what it's like to be the newbie.

 

"It's kinda scary to join," he said. "In many cases, you don't know anyone."

 

Of course, some recruits have family connections and join a department as a legacy. But others walk in off the street.

 

"I aim to strip away that vulnerability and create a department that is welcoming," Chris said.

 

He is also developing a relationship with a local newspaper.

 

"I send them monthly reports, I ask them what their needs are, I invite them to photo opportunities," he said.

 

Thus far, his many efforts are having a positive impact.

 

"We've had two new applicants and one already joined," he said. "There is not one formula for recruitment. I'm seeing what works."

Why are You a Volunteer Firefighter?

During the 148th Annual SFFMA Conference, we invite you to sign up and share your motivation, passion, and commitment to serving your community. Your stories will help us showcase the vital role of volunteer firefighters and inspire others to join this noble profession.

We're looking for dedicated individuals to participate in an upcoming photo shoot for our marketing materials. We want to capture the essence of why you chose to become a volunteer firefighter and share your inspiring stories with the community. Don't miss this opportunity to highlight the incredible work you do and make a difference in your community!

When: Sat., June 29 

Where: SFFMA 148th Annual Training Conference and Convention at the SAFER Grant Booth inside the Expo Hall, San Marcos Convention Center

Time: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Must sign up for a session in advance) Sign up for a time slot!

 

Transfer SFFMA Training to Test with TCFP

Individuals or departments interested in challenging the TCFP examination without attending a full-time academy can use the following steps to receive a Letter of Eligibility from SFFMA.

• Document all training for HazMat Awareness, HazMat Operations, Firefighter I, and Firefighter II
• Pay the required examination fees for the four levels at least once. (In instances where ProBoard or IFSAC documentation was used to show completion of one of the four levels, we would need payment of the issuance fee in place of the examination fee.)
• Send a request e-mail to certification@sffma.org

Austin staff will double check all steps have been completed and reply with a PDF letter. TCFP views the letter with the same weight as completion of a full-time academy toward their program.

Questions or Problems? Please contact your Certification Coordinator or Zone Representative; they can answer your questions about testing and certification. Visit these web pages for additional info:

Certification Board

Written Testing Dates

Certification Manual

Certification Workshop Dates

Available Certifications (Includes links for Cancer Awareness, etc.)

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (CDT)

Brenham FD
101 N Chappell Hill St
Brenham, TX 77833

 

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (CDT)

SFFMA - Main Office
707 W FM 1626
Austin, TX 78748

 

Saturday, May 25th, 2024
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (CDT)

Alvin FD
801 E South St
Alvin, TX 77511

 

 

 Saturday, June 8, 2024
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (CDT)

Tarrant County College Fire Service Trn. Center
4801 Marine Creek Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76179

 

Tuesday, June 11, 2024
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (MDT)

El Paso County ESD 2
16001 Socorro Rd
Fabens, TX 79838

 

Wednesday, June 19, 2024
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (CDT)

Brenham FD
101 N Chappell Hill St, Brenham, TX 77833