City of Joshua, Texas May 2020 Newsletter

City of Joshua

Phase 1 of Texas’ ongoing plan to safely and strategically open begins on May 1st.

Certain services & activities are allowed to open with limited occupancy. Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued minimum standard health protocols to minimize the spread of #COVID19.

The Governor’s Report to Open TX is available on the Governor's Strike Force to Open Texas’s website — bit.ly/2yOc0jc

It details the new protocols, guidance, and recommendations and includes a series of checklists that outline DSHS’s minimum standard health protocols for all Texans.

DSHS have developed a testing and tracing program that will help public health officials quickly identify & test Texans who contract #COVID19. This will help box in the virus & slow, or even stop, further spread.

The state also relaxed certain restrictions related to health care professionals & issued amended requirements related to hospital capacity.

Hospitals must reserve least 15% of its capacity for treatment of #COVID19 patients, as determined by Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Additionally the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for travelers from Louisiana has been eliminated.

But for travelers from the following areas it remains in place:

CA; CT; NY; NJ; WA; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI, & Miami, FL.

City of Joshua Fire Department
Chief Thomas D. Griffith Jr.

The City of Joshua is proud to announce the selection of Thomas D. Griffith Jr. as the new Fire Chief for the City of Joshua. Chief Griffith has more than 32 years in the fire service and previously served the City of Pantego as Chief for 9 years and then as Director of Public Safety for 6 years.

Chief Griffith graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Public Administration. He received his Executive Fire Officer Certification from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD and currently holds certifications as a Master Peace Officer, Advanced Firefighter, Licensed Paramedic and a Level III Fire Instructor.

Chief Griffith served 2 terms as President of the Tarrant County Fire Chief’s Association, Advisory Board Chair, School of Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies at Tarleton State University, co-founder of the Southern Emergency Response and Preparedness Association and an Adjunct Instructor for the Tarrant County College Regional Fire Academy.

Chief Griffith and his wife Thryza reside in Joshua.

During this difficult time, it is incumbent upon our community to step up and assist our vulnerable population associated with this pandemic.

We are proud to say our community has stepped up. volunteers from several local churches are on board and will do all they can to assist citizens in need.

If you are a senior citizen or fall in the high risk category and need assistance with things such as shopping, picking up medication, needing groceries, or just someone to talk to, please contact city hall at 817/558-7447 or the following churches directly and give them your contact information including your name and phone number:

True Life Church - info@truelifejohsua.com
First United Methodist Church - smithp9312@aol.com or send text to 817/909-9025.

*both organizations have food banks for those in need*

If you know of someone who needs help and don't have access to this message or email/phone, please offer your assistance and contact us on their behalf.

If you have a neighbor that you are concerned about, please contact the Joshua Police Department at 817/558-3999 and they will perform a welfare check to confirm everything is okay.

If you are a church or local organization that would like to be added to the volunteer list, please contact city hall.

Fire Department Special Projects

Department constructs N95 Mask Disinfecting Unit
In response to the scarcity of COVID19 personnel protective equipment, the Fire Department constructed a disinfectant unit that utilizes UVC (ultraviolet) light to disinfect N95 protective face masks. The unit was originally designed by the South Fork Fire Rescue department in Colorado.

The unit (pictured below) was assembled using various materials including wood, mirror, and UVC light units. The wooden cabinet was constructed and donated by Brandon Plihal of Austin Conor Millwork located at 619 N. Main Street in Joshua.

The disinfecting unit will allow the department to conserve on the use of personal protective masks during times when the supply is limited. Disinfecting each mask requires 10 minutes of exposure to the UVC light and can be disinfected up to ten times each.

Department Obtains Donated Storage Cabinets
Recently, Austin Conor Millwork, located at 619 N. Main Street in Joshua, was approached to provide an estimate for constructing much needed storage cabinets for the department’s EMS supply room. The department was pleasantly surprised when Mr. Brandon Plihal, Operations Manager for Austin Conor, graciously insisted on supplying the cabinets at no cost.

The shelving is constructed of high quality commercial components and are laminated to resist wear and staining. The shelving has a retail value of $2,300 and is a great savings to the city budget. Austin Conor Millwork will be formally recognized for their contribution at a future City Council meeting.

The Police Department is closely monitoring the evolving impact of COVID-19 and implementing ongoing measures to ensure the health and safety, while maintaining the highest level of service to our community.

Like many jurisdictions we have implemented some operational changes. These actions are intended to mitigate the disease impact while maintaining our public safety responsibilities. Below is a summary of those changes. It is important to note we are not amending our response to critical calls where life or safety is jeopardized.

Persons reporting crime where there is not a need for on-scene investigation are contacted by an officer by telephone.
We will take reports in our lobby, however if in-person contact is not required for a public safety purpose the reporting person is contacted by the officer via our lobby telephone.
Sex Offender registration for both check in and newly released offenders requires an appointment. The assigned investigator evaluates the need for an in-person visit.
Public fingerprinting service has been suspended.

Reports over the phone will receive the same professional attention, as if they were taken in-person. When officers do respond to a home or business, persons may be asked to meet with the officer outside. Again, this is a safety precaution designed to follow social distancing recommendation of keeping six feet of distance to reduce the potential for any spread of the coronavirus.

Our goal is to keep everyone — officers and residents — safe while allowing us to accomplish our public safety mission

Joshua Veteran’s Memorial
The City of Joshua is accepting applications for name spaces for the Joshua Veteran Memorial walls to honor our Veterans. Each name space will have three lines of information available. The veteran’s name and information will be engraved into a customized plaque and set on granite below the corresponding branch of service.
Requirements for submittal:
            * Veterans must have an Honorable or General-Under Honorable Conditions Discharge
            * A copy of the service members DD214 or other official paperwork
            * Service member’s dedicatory Information
            * A payment of $100.00
            * Completed application form

Incomplete applications will not be considered. All submissions are contingent upon the Veteran’s Committee.

Once the required number of applications are received, the engraving will be scheduled, and a ceremony scheduled the addition on Veteran’s Day.

For more information, contact Assistant City Manager Mike Peacock at mpeacock@cityofjoshuatx.us or 817/558-7447