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Promote, Unify, Represent and Educate the Fire Service of Texas
September 2024 |
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Mission Firefighters on the scene of a massive warehouse fire in the city of Hildago in late August. |
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Be sure to support our advertisers! |
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Welcome to SFFMA e-
InfoFIRE! |
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We can almost smell autumn. It's so close! Sure, the temps will remain high, but in our hearts, we know it's fall.
Speaking of fall, district meetings are happening all around the state! Check the details on our website. Then be sure to attend your district meeting! Getting involved and being active allows you to have a voice in the association. Join us as we work together to improve the Texas fire service!
Beginning next month, our monthly newsletter will include a Texas Legislative Update including what's on the horizon at the state capitol during the 2025 legislative session and how any potential legislation may affect Texas fire departments. With your membership support, SFFMA allows all of us to have an amplified voice and a way to communicate with the state legislature that has the most impact. Stay tuned!
Is your SFFMA membership current for 2024? If not, your insurance policy is not in effect. And you're not able to take advantage of our many other benefits! Benefits run Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. See more here.
Enjoy this issue of e-
InfoFIRE. It’s
about firefighters and emergency responders and it’s
for firefighters and emergency responders. Making this newsletter something you want to read each month is our goal.
Want your department or a specific member featured in an upcoming issue? Email Kim Hilsenbeck: newsletter@sffma.org.
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A monthly note from the SFFMA Board President |
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Hello fellow firefighters across the state,
I hope everyone had a safe and fun Labor Day weekend. The state received wonderful rainfall, which was much needed and will help decrease the wildfire risks.
This month kicks off fall district meetings. We look forward to seeing each of you in the coming weeks as we travel across the state. The dates for upcoming district meetings are on the website. Attend your district meeting to have a voice in SFFMA.
Updated committee lists are also on the website (under 'About Us' tab). Looking forward to seeing all the hard work the committees get done this year.
Certification and Testing Updates
- Certification Growth: As of August, more than 2,700 certifications have been issued.
- New Test Banks: Ongoing development of test banks for Driver Operator and Inspector certifications.
- Reciprocity Discussions: Continue discussions with TCFP to streamline certification reciprocity, making transitions into the career fire service more accessible.
Membership and Benefits
Renewal and overall growth are going strong:
- As of 9/16/24: 16,260 individual members and 905 entities renewed.
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(This list is continued from the previous column)
- Promote the new retired member and junior member categories, both of which have seen significant interest.
- LODD Benefits Compliance: Reinforce the importance of volunteer departments holding a training meeting at least twice a month to maintain eligibility for LODD benefits. Non-compliance could lead to denial of benefits.
VFIS Insurance
Remind members to keep beneficiary forms up to date and on file; this is crucial for ensuring timely benefit distribution.
Grant Opportunities
SAFER Grant Utilization
- Emphasize the ongoing availability of SAFER Grant funds for recruitment and retention, leadership training, and PPE.
- Encourage departments to apply for these funds to support their growth and sustainability.
- We are applying for a new SAFER grant with new priorities for funding.
Everyone be safe and thank you all for what you do.
Sincerely,
Billy Tidwell
SFFMA President 2025
806-777-5393
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Check us out on Instagram! (Click the image) |
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From the Desk of the Executive Director
Dan Kramer is the Executive Director of SFFMA |
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Dear Members,
As we transition into a new month, I’d like to take a moment to share some updates on what we’ve been working on and what’s ahead for the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association (SFFMA).
District Meetings
Our district meetings have officially begun! These gatherings provide an excellent opportunity for our members to connect, share knowledge, and discuss the challenges and successes in their regions. I encourage all members to attend local district meetings to stay engaged with the important work done throughout the state.
Your participation is invaluable to the strength of our organization, and it helps ensure that we continue moving forward with the needs of all Texas firefighters in mind.
Strengthening Partnerships
I’m excited to share that we’ve made significant progress in strengthening our partnerships with key state organizations. Our continued collaboration with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection is proving fruitful as our reciprocity discussions continue.
These partnerships help us advocate for necessary resources, improve firefighter training and certifications, and ensure we are aligned with the broader safety
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initiatives across the state. We will continue to foster these relationships to elevate the fire service in Texas and provide our members with the tools and support they need.
Vendor Support
I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our vendors for their ongoing support of the SFFMA. Your contributions, whether through sponsorship, participation in events, or providing resources, play an integral role in the success of our organization.
We sincerely appreciate your commitment and look forward to continuing our partnership in the years to come.
Looking Ahead
As always, we remain focused on advocating for our members and delivering value through our certification programs, the annual conference, and member services.
We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to serving you as we grow as an organization.
Thank you for your continued support of the SFFMA, and I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming district meetings!
Best regards,
Dan Kramer
Executive Director
SFFMA
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The State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association is now accepting presentation proposals for the SFFMA 149th Annual Conference and Convention June 19-22, 2025, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Frisco Hotel & Convention Center in Frisco, Texas. Our audience includes professionals ranging from those new to public safety to expert master level firefighters with many years of experience. The SFFMA Speaker Selection Committee will consider session presentations that reflect the wide range of needs, interests, and experience levels of our fire service community. If you would like to share your knowledge and best practices, we invite you to send your session proposals for any relevant topic related to fire service, EMS and industrial services.
Interested presenters are asked to submit the online Presenter Submission Form on or before November 15, 2024. Final approval of presentations will be made by the SFFMA Speaker Selection Committee. Presenters will be notified of selection via email on or before February 10, 2025, to include draft presentation schedule.
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9/11 Memorials Across Texas |
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This newsletter segment is fulfilling the role of a spotlight this month. We recognize and thank all Texas firefighters who honored their fallen brothers and sisters during recent 9/11 memorials across the state. |
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Since the 9/11 tragedy in 2001, many Texas fire departments hold annual memorials* to honor the lives of fallen firefighters. It's a way to remember those who paid the ultimate price and to ensure we never forget what happened to our country that day. Above are a few pictures from events around Texas. |
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Above photos courtesy of the following departments: Burleson Fire / EMS Department, Community Volunteer Fire Department, Edinburg Fire Department, Floydada Volunteer Fire, Merkel Volunteer Fire, Midland County Northeast VFD, Plano Fire, Roscoe, Volunteer Fire, Wylie Volunteer Fire. There is also a pic from Tunnel to Towers Greater Houston. |
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It's about that time! Fall District Meetings are happening around Texas. Be sure to attend your district meeting to stay up to speed on what's happening. By being in attendance, you get a chance to be heard! You have a voice in SFFMA - use it! See below for details but confirm with your district board leaders as things can change. |
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TDEM Incident Support Task Force |
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Apply to be part of the TDEM Incident Support Task Force. Open to local government employees and subject matter experts in the field of discipline. Disaster experience is required. Contact Jonathan Esquivel for info. |
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Membership Drive for 2025 |
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Renewals for 2025 begin November 1! Stay tuned. |
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The State Firefighters' & Fire Marshals' Association of Texas is a professional trade group established in 1876. Our goal then as now is to promote, unify, represent and educate firefighters and EMS responders throughout the state, whether they are paid or volunteer. The ultimate goal is always to enhance and improve the Texas fire service.
Why should you join? Because SFFMA offers all firefighters a chance to have a voice in issues that impact them individually and the profession itself. Whether the issues are related to safety, funding, training or anything else in the firefighting/EMS realm, SFFMA is here to ensure your voice is heard. We work with a legal advocate who builds relationships with those who represent us in the Texas legislature. Alone we can only do so much - together our voices are amplified.
Being an SFFMA member is also an excellent way to take advantage of our training and certification program. We help departments get their firefighters tested and certified to NFPA standards while always working toward elevating the reputation of SFFMA members through our marketing efforts.
Another important reason to be an SFFMA member is to provide you and your family with some peace of mind if the worst were to happen. But our other benefits are also awesome! If you haven't renewed for 2024, your insurance policy is not in effect. Don't wait - sign up or rejoin today! Visit our member PORTAL. |
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MONEY IS AVAILABLE FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS!
The SAFER Grant and other programs exist to help departments. Let SFFMA help you navigate using SAFER Grant funding for your department's needs, including PPE, physicals and training. It may also be able to cover your membership dues!!! Don't miss out on an opportunity to keep your department strong and growing. And we have two Recruitment & Retention Workshops coming up this fall: Oct. 4-5 in Lubbock and Nov. 1-2 in Corpus Christi.
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Alvin volunteer firefighters participated in the 20th Beneeezy Purple Monkey Fun Run. The Ben Garcia Memorial Scholarship Fund has awarded over $330,000 in scholarships to graduating Alvin High School students. |
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CPVFD assisted Kerrville FD on a tractor trailer fire on Interstate 10. Comfort VFD also assisted on the call. No injuries reported. |
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Dimmit County Fire Rescue putting out a tank fire. |
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Surfside Beach EMS lookin' cool. |
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Ballinger Fire Department with their Dalmatian mascot celebrating National Dog Day. |
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Also on National Dog Day, we saw this pic. This is Chip. He is a Dalmatian. He lives in the Panhandle with a former fire captain. |
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Certification and Testing
Upload Training Completion Certificates
You as an individual can still attain certifications through the association's PORTAL. Please review the ever-increasing list of documents mapped toward credit in the SFFMA Certification Program by logging into your PORTAL account, selecting Upload from the green Training box, and then click on the “View Mapped Courses/Certificates” button.
When submitting documentation through PORTAL for approval please note the recent changes:
1. Individuals requesting reciprocity must provide verifiable documentation from one of the following sources towards written and skill examinations:
- Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) certifications if currently active or active within the last two years;
- IFSAC accreditation if issued under the current or most recent edition of the given NFPA standard; or
- ProBoard accreditation if issued under the current or most recent edition of the given NFPA standard.
Uploaded documents are first available to your Zone Representative to review. If not reviewed within 30 days, Austin staff will then review and communicate with the Zone Representative regarding issues.
Upcoming Testing Opportunities
Please note that only registered trainees will be allowed to sit an examination. Upcoming exam sessions can be searched by date and location.
For Departments: Register personnel for testing through the Written Test Eligibility screen. After paying exam fees, use the green Test Scheduler button to access upcoming sessions.
For Individuals: Register by selecting Eligibility from the green Testing box from your landing page. On the new page select View under Written Test Eligibility and then the green Test Scheduler button.
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Saturday, September 21, 2024
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (CST)
Devine Vol. Fire & Rescue
1419 County Road 5710
Devine, TX 78016
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Saturday, September 28, 2024
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CDT)
Guadalupe County Fire Training Facility
320 Fire Field Rd
New Braunfels, TX 78130 |
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Continuing Education & Professional Credits from Texas Engineering Extension Service
Learn more about training opportunities from TEEX on their website.
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Q&A with SFFMA
Questions about SFFMA? We’ve got answers! We occasionally get questions about the association, so we’re sharing them - and the answers - here.
> What types of grant programs are available for my department? Grants
Have questions about SFFMA or the benefits of being a member? Let us know! Send an email to Membership. |
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Did you know we have a Classifieds section of our website? Our members can list job openings, services and equipment for sale. Nonmembers can run a 30-day ad for just $20.
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