The 2024 SFFMA Conference was a remarkable event filled with informative sessions, engaging activities, and meaningful connections. This year's gathering brought together professionals and volunteers from across the state, all dedicated to advancing fire safety and emergency response. Highlights from the Conference: 1. Vendor Passport Program: One of the standout features of the conference was the Vendor Passport Program. Attendees had the opportunity to visit each booth, get their passports filled, and enter into a drawing for exciting prizes. This initiative not only encouraged networking but also ensured that participants got the most out of the vendor exhibits. 2. Awards and Recognition: We proudly celebrated the achievements of some special Texas first responders. 2024 Firefighter of the Year Nominees: Brandi Clausen, Dalhart VFD Frank Servais, Friberg-Cooper VFD Andy Dexter, Klein FD Winner: Andy Dexter, Klein FD/Tri-Rivers District 2024 EMS Responder of the Year Nominees: Larry Swartz, Edgecliff FD/North Texas District Taryn Riden, Potosi VFD Sarah Hininger, Dalhart VFD Winner: Larry Swartz, Edgecliff FD/North Texas District 3. Informative Sessions and Workshops: The conference featured a variety of sessions and workshops that covered a wide range of topics relevant to fire safety and emergency response. These sessions provided valuable insights and practical knowledge that attendees can apply in their respective fields. 4. Networking Opportunities: Participants had ample opportunities to network with peers, vendors, and industry leaders. The interactions and exchanges of ideas during the conference helped strengthen the fire service community and fostered collaborative efforts for future advancements. 5. Firefighter of the Year and EMS Responder of the Year Awards Breakfast: The awards breakfast was a heartwarming event where we honored past recipients of the Firefighter of the Year and EMS Responder of the Year Awards and current nominees. It was a moment to acknowledge the dedication and bravery of our members who go above and beyond in their service. 6. 'Best Booth Space' Award: We are thrilled to announce that we received the 'Best Booth Space' award at this year’s conference! Our booth stood out for its engaging setup, informative displays, and our new putting green. Thank you to everyone who visited and made our booth such a success. We can’t wait to see you all at the next SFFMA Conference!
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In emergency services, having a dedicated claim contact is crucial for managing insurance claims effectively. Recent feedback highlights the need to choose someone who can handle the volume of calls and emails, especially during severe incidents.
Departments should carefully select individuals with the availability and communication skills necessary to manage inquiries and updates promptly. This ensures smoother claim resolution and minimizes disruptions during critical times. By prioritizing proactive communication and designating capable claim contacts, departments can streamline the claims process and better support their teams during challenging situations. Good news! Paying your insurance premiums just got a whole lot easier. We are excited to announce we have switched our online payment system from ePay Policy to Applied Pay!
Keep an eye out for a link on your next invoice that will allow you to access our new payment portal, or if you want to check it out now, you can also access the portal here or through the “Make a Payment” tab on our website. Our goal is to provide exceptional service, and we are excited to offer you a convenient way to make payments safely and securely, using your credit card and ACH. The choice is yours! Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We are always here to help! As firefighters, paramedics and 911 dispatchers, you keep the safety and risk management practices of your community members top-of-mind, but how often do you evaluate your own risks? Considering the fact that a new cyberattack occurs every 39 seconds, 64% of companies have experienced at least one cyberattack, and a cyberattack on your organization could impact your entire town—when it comes to cyber safety, it’s vital to think about your own risks, too.
VFIS has a cybersecurity microsite to help you understand your risks, know what to do if you experience a breach and understand key ways to help prevent one from happening in the first place. You’ll find picks for who to follow on online to get the latest cyber risks and recommendations, as well as resources designed specifically for responders and answers to your top cyber-related questions. by Tom Newby, Benefits Director As many of you are aware, the Texas State Legislature recently passed HB471. This new law is to become effective September 1, 2023. For those of you not aware of HB471, I am attaching a copy for you (link below). In short it requires that when a member of a department, whether fire, police or emergency medical personnel, goes out on a disability that is Line of Duty related, the department is responsible for replacing 100% of the member’s income for the
first twelve months. Our reading of HB471, in its current form, is not fiscally or administratively feasible to be implemented. We have contacted SAFE-D and ask that their legal and legislative persons request clarification of certain issues as well as to request an implementation period of 12 months. Reasons for not seeing HB471, in its current form, as fiscally or administratively feasible are listed below.
My hope is that this will provide some insight in to the current issues surrounding HB471 and what is needed to make the goal of HB471 a reality. Severe Wildfire Disaster Declaration Emergency GrantThe Severe Wildfire Disaster Declaration Emergency Grant is open for departments that incurred damage/loss beginning July 24, 2023 while responding to fires in one of the declared counties. Application Deadline is September 15th. ************************************** “Volunteer firefighters are our first line of defense against wildfires in Texas,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “During this active summer season, these firefighters are responding to wildfires daily. They work in extreme conditions that not only challenge them physically but also cause their equipment to become worn and damaged.” In addition to preventing and responding to wildfires, Texas A&M Forest Service helps firefighters by administering emergency grants through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The emergency grants fund essential equipment that needs repairing and replacement damaged during response efforts. APPLY HERE - https://tinyurl.com/5n96bjp8 ![]() WinStar Insurance Group continues, for the 4th year, to be part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) Best Practices Study Group. The agencies comprising the study group are selected every third year through a comprehensive nomination and qualifying process and awarded a “Best Practices Agency” designation. The selected Best Practices agencies retain their status during the three-year study cycle (2022-2024) by submitting extensive financial and operational data for review each year. During the 2023 Study year, only 264 independent agencies throughout the U.S. qualified and retained their status as a Best Practices agency. The Best Practices Study was initiated by IIABA in 1993 as the foundation for efforts to improve agency performance. The annual Study of leading independent insurance agencies, which is conducted by the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting of Atlanta, GA, documents the business practices of these “best” agencies and urges others to adopt similar practices. For over 30 years, the Big “I” has developed a family of products and webinars designed to help cultivate a Best Practices agency culture. The offerings include materials such as the Agency Comparison Workbook, Guide to Producer Contracts, the Customer Service Experience Handbook, Sales Potential Quick Check, Interactive Agency Self-Diagnostic Tool, and Best Practices Joint Planning Tool Quick Step. Many of the publications include guidelines, worksheets, and case studies to help agents apply the information contained in each report and move beyond theory into practice. In addition to these materials, hundreds of workshops and seminars have been conducted at various producer association functions, company sponsored agency meetings and national automation users group conventions. The Big “I” and Reagan Consulting jointly maintain the Best Practices Gateway website (www.reaganconsulting.com/reasearch/best-practices) that provides executive summaries of the annual Best Practices Studies and various Best Practices tools. The Gateway, as well as the annual study, is made possible in part through the financial sponsorship of various insurance companies and industry organizations. The 2023 Best Practices Study sponsors include: Amerisure, Applied Systems, Central Insurance, Chubb, EMC Insurance, First Insurance Funding, The Hartford, Imperial PFS, InsurBanc, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Safeco Insurance, State Auto Insurance Companies, National General, Nationwide, Progressive, SunLife, Travelers, Vertafore, Westfield Insurance and Westfield Bank. For more information on the Best Practices Study, contact Jennifer Becker at IIABA, 1-800-221-7917. Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing more than 25,000 agency locations united under the Trusted Choice brand. Trusted Choice independent agents offer consumers all types of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products—from a variety of insurance companies. 2023 Firefighter of the Year & EMS Responder of the Year AwardsDuring the 2023 SFFMA Training Conference and Convention, SFFMA and VFIS of Texas presented the EMS Responder of the Year and the Firefighter of the Year awards. The SFFMA 2023 Firefighter of the Year Award was awarded to Fire Chief Jeff Ballew from Edgecliff Village Fire Department. The SFFMA 2023 EMS Responder of the Year was awarded to Dave Bellows with Hartley Fire & EMS. The two FFOY runners up were Ervey Pineda with Kermit Volunteer Fire Department and David Poe from West Carlisle Volunteer Fire Department. Congratulations to this year's winners and nominees! All well-deserved and appreciated! |
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