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Promote, Unify, Represent and Educate the Fire Service of Texas |
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Krum Volunteer Fire Department was the scene of this amazing lightning shot. |
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Remembering Chief Brown and Firefighter Brendon Torres, one year later. Our heartfelt gratitude to all fallen firefighters.
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This month's member spotlight features Lily and Colton with Community Volunteer Fire Department and is part of a new focus on recruiting younger volunteers.
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Fall is here! The cooler temps are a welcome relief after a brutal summer. Autumn brings taking a hike weather. Football weather! Jacket weather. Nights around the fire pit weather. (Check your local rules and burn bans!) It also brings VFD fundraisers (check out our new Facebook Fundraiser Fridays segment!). National Night Out and Halloween. And then, finally, November arrives and we honor our military veterans and we give thanks for everything in our lives. That means Christmas is right around the corner! (Too soon??)
In this newsletter, we continue to celebrate firefighters all across Texas no matter the weather – because these women and men are out there in all kinds of conditions. Pouring rain at 1 a.m.? Yup. Driving winds and 40 degrees? You bet. Triple digit temps and 98% humidity? Uh, yeah.
Fall also reminds us that it’s almost time to renew your SFFMA membership! Join or renew beginning November 1. A lapse in coverage could cause your benefits to stop, which would be potentially devastating were something to happen to you in the line of duty. Ensure your beneficiaries are taken care of and renew before December 31, 2023, for seamless coverage beginning January 1, 2024. All of us understand this insurance benefit is truly for your loved ones – and while it’s always difficult to think about, it’s incredibly easy to make sure your coverage doesn’t lapse.
Lastly, we invite you to read and hopefully 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? Send an email to Kim Hilsenbeck! Her email is khilsenbeck@sffma.org.
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Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook! And go find us on Tw...X. Twix? We took a little break for a while but we're back, baby! |
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by SFFMA Executive Board President
Donny Boggs
As we enter October, I welcome the cooler weather…if mid 90-degree temperatures are cool... and the recent rains in some parts of the state. We certainly can use more rain and pray it will be coming shortly. I want to thank all our responders working tirelessly to protect lives and save property for their jobs well done. |
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The fall district meetings are now underway, and your Executive Board is attending as many as they can, but with several districts scheduling on the same day and time, the Eboard must split up to ensure each district gets represented and updated on what’s happening around the state and in Austin.
I want to offer the SFFMA’s sincerest condolences to the North Texas Firefighters and Fire Marshals Association and the Edgecliff Village Fire Department for the loss of one of its own. Captain Cary Thetford lost his battle with cancer on September 23. Cary was the sitting 1st Vice President for NTFFFMA and was soon to occupy the President’s chair. His passion for his department, district, and the fire service will be greatly missed. Go rest high Cary…we will take it from here.
SFFMA is also saddened by the news of the passing of Raybert Lee Williamson, Sr., 87, of Wharton. Raybert is a past president of SFFMA (1984). He remained a member for more than 30 years. He also served as the Fire Chief of Wharton Volunteer Fire Department. We appreciate his dedication and service.
An Executive Director search committee was formed to contact individuals that may have an interest in becoming the next SFFMA Executive Director. The committee is comprised of Mark Wobus (Chair), Billy Tidwell, and R. J. Thomas from the current Executive Board and Past Presidents Mike Richardson and David Wade. They will bring recommendations to the Executive Board once all contacts and interviews are completed. If you know someone who is very savvy to the volunteer fire service, as well as outgoing, personable, and servant oriented, please let the search committee know. |
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Planning is underway for the 2024 District Leaders Symposium scheduled for January 26 – 28, 2024, at the SFFMA office in Austin. Districts should plan to send two (2) executive board members to take part in this important gathering. Much information will be shared to further bridge the communication gap.
In addition, representatives from TEEX, TAMFS, VFIS, and other stakeholders will be on hand to field any questions. You will get answers straight from the entities themselves.
Remember, there will be a Recruitment and Retention presentation Saturday morning and your attendance is required for receiving travel reimbursement for attending this symposium.
In closing, Dalhart VFD held a one-year anniversary memorial service on October 4, 2023, at the Dalhart fire station for the LODDs of Chief Curtis Brown and Firefighter Brendon Torres. Several Executive Board members attended to honor these men who were true servants to their community and the fire service.
As always, thank each of you for what you do for your department, community, district, county, the State of Texas, and the SFFMA. Please stay safe.
God bless y’all.
Donny Boggs
SFFMA Executive Board
President 2023 – 2024
979-220-0141
donald.boggs@gmail.com
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This volunteer spotlight features Lily Wilcox (second from left) and Colton Costello (third from right) with Community Volunteer Fire Department and is part of a new focus on recruiting younger volunteers. We want to acknowledge all of the junior firefighters in the program as well!
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Sometimes you meet folks so extraordinary, you just can’t help but be in awe. This is how it felt to speak with Lily Wilcox, 17, and Colton Costello, 18, with Community Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD). Both are seniors in high school. They offered their time to share their stories – and we’re glad they did!
These conversations are part of our new series on recruiting younger volunteers. Through these stories, we explore ideas and tactics to ensure a volunteer department will continue to train up the next generations of firefighters and EMTs by helping them recruit new lifeblood.
Our first conversation was with Lt. Samantha Smith, who serves as the CVFD Recruiter. She’s been with CVFD just about three years. Under her purview is the Junior Firefighter Program, which runs year-round for all 13–17-year-olds. Most classes have 12-20 students and many stay on after they age out and become full-fledged volunteers.
Smith explained how the program operates and the kind of work the juniors do. For example, because of safety concerns, JFFs are not allowed to go interior on structure fires. They often help the crew with tools, hoses and other tasks that are important to the incident and to command staff. They can generally assist with wildfires.
Lily has been in the JFF program for about 18 months. Colton, who has also been with CVFD about 18 months, recently aged out of the junior program and is transitioning to be a regular volunteer firefighter. His plan is to work hard and someday become a career firefighter somewhere near his hometown, perhaps Sugarland. He may also attend a local college or at least take some classes.
When asked about what lit the fire under him to volunteer, pun intended, he said it started when he was just a tot.
“My mom decorated my room with all things firefighter,” he said. “And that helped spark my interest in learning about it. I also knew I wanted to be that person who helped others in need.”
Colton is the first person in his family to become a firefighter and he hopes to begin his own legacy of the family connection to the fire service.
Lily said she has several family members in the fire service and found inspiration from them.
Just minutes into the conversation, it was easy to recognize these two young volunteers have that special something. It might be their drive or determination. Maybe it’s their unwavering commitment to serve their community. Or their desire to help people. Definitely grit. Whatever it is, Lt. Smith said she sees many of those same qualities in other juniors in the program.
In fact, she said the same thing is true of most of the regular firefighters at CVFD, whether they are paid or volunteer.
“It’s our commitment to being top notch as a department,” she said. “From our state-of-the-art facility to our trucks and equipment to the level of training and our high expectations, we have a great reputation. People know we strive to be the best at what we do.” |
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Check out one of the cool videos from Community VFD!
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It’s easy to see why Lily and Colton fit right in – both are driven to excel. Both want to help others. And both work hard. Smith said both teens are valued, determined members of CVFD despite also being active in sports (soccer for Lily) and extracurricular activities (band for Colton). Lily said she is often at the station more than just during her weekly training sessions.
“I like to go on ride-alongs whenever I can,” she said.
When Smith posted a photo of the teens with their awards, she wrote this, “Over the years they have stood out amongst their peers by exemplifying selflessness and service to their community. They are both the first ones to volunteer to assist and the last ones to complain or gripe about any issues. Their desire to be role models in the community to younger teenagers is evident by the time and effort they put into ensuring they are serving at the highest capacity. They often will step up during our JRFF classes and assist other members who might be newer, along with maintaining a top level of performance for themselves.”
Smith said both teens showed real initiative during the recent Katy Area Safety Fest.
All their hard work paid off. Lily and Colton were recently honored with the Follow the Footsteps Award at the Cypress Fire Department Tunnel to Towers (T2T) event in September. And both were humble when talking about the award, giving credit to CVFD and its work ethic culture.
Community VFD is an anomaly in some ways. It’s a part-paid, part-volunteer department near Houston that responds to approximately 12,000 calls annually. But being a combo department isn’t that unusual. What’s truly different is that there are approximately 300 firefighters with CVFD – and more than 135 of them are volunteers. Yet that’s still not the wildest thing. This is: CVFD is staffed 24/7; paid FFs during the day, and volunteers in the evenings and on weekends. Volunteers receive a small stipend and are expected to work six 12-hour shifts per month. And they do!
Getting enough volunteers to show up for a call in some areas of the state is a real issue. Some of the smaller VFDs may have 20+ people on the roster but expect about six to show up at calls. That’s almost normal in many volunteer-driven organizations. And in many cases, they come from home and not the station.
CVFD volunteers work and train alongside paid staff and are held to the same high standards. Smith said the work culture is strong, positive, inclusive and builds on a family-friendly structure. She has a full-time job and is married with three children, but still volunteers.
Smith seems to have a strong desire to help train up the next generation of firefighters. Her work with the junior FF program is evidence of that and of her commitment to the department.
“I’m there sometimes 30 hours a week in addition to everything else,” she said.
In her “day” job, Smith helps support first responders through early intervention when they are on the path of having an adverse event. Smith is a former law enforcement officer. Did we mention she is also the author of two books and does motivational speaking?
The conversation with Lily and Colton reminded us that young volunteers are still out there, they do exist. It’s our job to actively recruit and train them, thus creating a new generation of volunteer firefighters.
What is CVFDs secret to success?
Smith acknowledged that social media is a big part of the equation along with the delayed entry program she initiated at the department to help future cadets prepare for the academy.
“I film a lot of our training and the work our firefighters do,” she said.
Those nicely edited videos are then shared on the CVFD Facebook page.
“Many of our new recruits come to us because of what they see on social media,” she said. “They want to be a part of what we’re doing.”
You could hear the pride in Smith’s voice when she said Community Volunteer Fire Department earned a Class 1 rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO), which is the highest possible rating for fire protection services. They are one of only 75 agencies in Texas to achieve a Class 1 designation.
Sure, it helps that CVFD is part of an ESD and receives funding from the taxes in their district. But to see volunteers remain active and dedicated even though it is a partial paid department is impressive.
“We believe volunteers still remain with us because of the high expectations we place on everyone at CVFD,” she said. “We are a high caliber department and everyone around here knows it.”
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2024 Conference
News and Events
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It seems like forever away but the !48th Annual Training Conference & Convention is just eight months from now! It takes place June 27-30, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in beautiful San Marcos, Texas.
Visit our website and social media pages to stay up-to-date about the conference and to see when the hotel reservations and event registration begins. |
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On our website, you'll also find more info about:
- Call for Presenters
- Vendor spots
- Sponsorship
- Advertising
- Races (Pumper and Firefighter Gauntlet)
- Contests
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If you haven’t attended an SFFMA district meeting in a while, we invite you to come on back. These are not just a good time (and they are a good time!) but they're also a great way to hear about what’s new, what’s happening, what to look forward to in the future and how your Executive Board and staff are working for you.
SFFMA members deserve an association that provides excellent customer service, offers clear and understandable benefits, and allows volunteer firefighters and departments to better serve their communities. Our training and certification program was completely overhauled this past year – we now have the new SFFMA PORTAL that is easy to use and helps you keep track of your certifications and testing in one place.
We encourage all members to attend your district meeting to hear an update on the activities and plans, as well as receive a tutorial of the new portal. Not to mention any activities planned by your district board. It’s a great way to reconnect with other firefighters in your area!
East Texas Oct. 21 10 a.m. Trinity VFD, 203 S. Elm, Trinity, TX
Permian Basin
Oct. 20-21 6 p.m./8 a.m. Denver City Fire Hall, 401 North Ave C.
DCHS @ 601 Mustang Ave.
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Leadership Development Seminar - R&R Grant Reimbursable |
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Today’s fire service is faced with many challenges including responding to emergencies, fire department administration, recruitment/retention, and marketing/budgeting. Attendees will come away from the class understanding the challenges of managing and leading a department.
Dates: November 3-4, 2023
Times: Friday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Workshop/Hotel: Holiday Inn Longview (Lincoln Rm), 300 Tuttle Circle, Longview, TX 75605
Register here. For more information contact (855) VOLFIRE or Vicki via email. |
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Log in and see how easy it is to sign up/renew your membership! |
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Visit the store for your training and gear needs! See this month's featured item below. |
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Meet the Staff
With more than 15,000 current members, SFFMA is one of the largest associations in Texas. We are thrilled to help our firefighters with training, certification, testing, insurance and so much more.
This month we’re kicking off an occasional series called “Meet the Staff”. We will introduce our members to the folks behind the phone lines and emails who proudly serve our members each day.
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Membership Coordinator Edward Palacio is known for fishing and lately, for wearing Hey, Dude shoes. He said his daughters helped him learn about this cool footwear. |
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With the addition of our marketing director, we now have eight staff members – three of whom are dedicated to helping individuals and departments with various aspects of membership. The others handle everything from the store and training materials to planning events to handling the finances. And most of these folks wear multiple hats and step in to help each other as needed. It’s a true team with dedicated players!
We begin with Edward Palacio, our Membership Coordinator. As an association, the lifeblood of SFFMA – and the reason we exist at all – is our members. We have members from a range of organizations across the state: volunteer departments, industrial departments, EMS services, partner businesses, and more.
Understandably, these folks want to know – to see – the value for their membership. And we agree. The cost of membership has an equivalent value to those who write the checks.
We sat down with SFFMA Membership Coordinator Edward Palacio to learn more about our membership program – and a little about him.
Q. Tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been here at SFFMA.
A. I’ve been with the association about a year and a half. Prior to this, I worked for the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas.
Q. Some of us know you enjoy fishing. Can you share more info about your hobby?
A. I love saltwater fishing. My favorite places are Rockport and Port Aransas. Sometimes I use a guide and other times I do what’s called wade fishing. Sometimes I kayak fish. Any way I can get a pole in the water!
Q. Tell us a little about those cool shoes you wear.
A. What, my Hey Dudes? These are the best! My daughters bought me a pair last year for my birthday and now I have them in all kinds of colors. They’re comfortable and I often wear them fishing.
Q. What can you tell us about your daughters?
A. They are 19 and 18. Both are in college now, one at Texas A&M San Antonio and the other at UTSA. My oldest daughter plays softball so that’s been fun to see her develop into a top athlete over the years. My youngest is a freshman and still figuring out what college is all about. She recently joined a sorority so I think that will be great for her – they do a lot of community service projects.
Q. Okay let’s talk about SFFMA and your role here.
A. As the membership coordinator, I work to help all of our existing members and to recruit new ones. Folks contact me with questions. I can help walk them through the process of becoming a member or checking on their current status. I also help them understand how the benefits work and what to expect.
Q. What are some of the most common questions you receive about SFFMA membership?
A. One of the biggest questions is, ‘What is my membership status and am I covered in case something happens?’
We know that volunteer firefighters put their lives on the line every day for their community, including complete strangers. If the worst were to happen, would their family be okay? We all call it life insurance but the real truth is, it’s insurance for those left behind.
Checking your member status and keeping your insurance up to date is critical. In 2022, one of our volunteer firefighters died in the line of duty. To add insult to injury after this tragedy, his family found out his SFFMA membership had lapsed. We never want this to happen to anyone. Please log into the SFFMA PORTAL and check your status. It’s also a great time to ask your department about renewing prior to December 31 so it’s a seamless transition for your coverage.
Q. What are some other benefits of SFFMA?
A. We are the oldest member-driven association in Texas. And we exist solely to serve our members. Benefits, beyond insurance, include managing your certification and testing documentation. We also offer training opportunities, purchasing services like SAVVIK, travel and promotional discounts on a variety of items, and perhaps one of the most important services: an executive board that represents the interests of the fire service at the state legislative level.
The Executive Board travels to Austin to testify at hearings and works with an advocate to help your state legislators better understand the unique challenges and needs of the volunteer fire service in Texas. The board works on your behalf to improve aspects of volunteering and help secure FEMA funding.
In addition, SFFMA is a recipient of the SAFER Grant, which provides for a variety of assistance including new recruit physicals, new recruit basic firefighter training, new recruit PPE, leadership and career development workshops, and travel reimbursement for some training sessions. We can even help those who may need assistance paying for their SFFMA membership.
Q. What would you like members to know about SFFMA PORTAL?
A. In December 2022, we rolled out a new membership system called SFFMA PORTAL. This system was custom built by our in-house developer, Derrell Beasley. PORTAL is a one-stop shop for all of your certification and testing needs. While Kevin Creamer handles that part of the house, I am talking about it because it’s one of the main reasons that volunteer firefighters become members. And with SFFMA PORTAL, everything is easier to use and more intuitive. It’s really a great system and it makes things so much better for our members.
Q. We’ve heard there might still be some confusion about PORTAL or that we have members who say our system is challenging to use, and therefore frustrating. Can you help clarify?
A. Absolutely. SFFMA PORTAL is a custom-built program that was designed with our members in mind. From the get-go, our mantra was – it has to be easy to use! And it really is.
We had a previous system called GrowthZone and, admittedly, it had some logistical and user challenges. We were all happy to see it go away! But we think it’s possible some members still think we use that old system and haven’t gone onto PORTAL to see how much easier and faster it is. We want every SFFMA member to be registered in PORTAL and to use it, become familiar with it and learn to appreciate it as much as staff does.
Q. How can someone learn more about SFFMA member benefits?
A. You can visit the SFFMA website to learn about all the various member benefits by going to www.sffmatx.org. You can also log into the SFFMA PORTAL to check your status, view or update your account profile, and review your certification and testing info.
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Fire Chief Development Program |
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The SFFMA Fire Chief Development Program is intended to provide current and aspiring fire chiefs or assistant/deputy chiefs with the information they need to meet the changing demands of managing, improving, and directing volunteer and combination departments of all sizes. Visit our website to learn more and to register. |
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Weekend 1: February 16-18, 2024
Weekend 2: May 3-5, 2024
Weekend 3: August 2-4, 2024
Weekend 4: October 25-27, 2024
Class participants must attend all four weekends to graduate.
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Managing Officer Program - Training Officer
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This course is designed to provide effective leadership and management skills for the development of current and future personnel who aspire to be or who are currently serving as department training officers. It’s a comprehensive program presenting the leadership roles, responsibilities, and requirements of an effective training officer at the Division or Program level. This is not an Instructor I or II course. It will cover objectives in
NFPA 1021 – Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, and
NFPA 1041 – Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications in order enhance the focus and intent of this program. It is broken into multiple phases and offers 64 hours of classroom instruction to include online training sessions, face-to-face classes, independent study, and submission/final presentation of a capstone project at the end of the program. |
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By SFFMA Past President, Chuck Richardson, with Wild Peach Volunteer Fire Department
This is an occasional series on the family connections and traditions within the Texas volunteer fire service. Share your story! Email khilsenbeck@sffma.org. |
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The fire service is a big family. Here at Wild Peach VFD, that is especially true. Of the 18 members on our current roster, nine hail from two families.
The Fire Chief, 1st Assistant Chief, one Captain, the Department Secretary and a Firefighter all are from one family.
Here is how it breaks down: the Chief and 1st Assistant Chief are twin brothers. The captain is the wife of the 1stAssistant Chief. Our Secretary is their sister. The firefighter is the Chief’s son. Former members were also part of the department: a mom and a brother. Confused yet?
The second family is mine. In our little tribe is me (a former Fire Chief), my son-in-law (currently the 2nd Assistant Chief), son (former Chaplain) and a cousin who is a firefighter.
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Former department members from our family include my dad, Kenneth Richardson, who was a charter member and served as Fire Chief. My sister, brother-in-law and one of my granddaughters - affectionately known as “Noodlehead” - were also members. Noodlehead joined WPVFD fresh out of high school. She took leave to join the U.S. Navy and served five years as a Seabee. She is now a member of Angleton VFD and going to school to become a Fire Marshal.
My other granddaughter, Casey, served as the 2022-2023 SFFMA Mascot. You may recall seeing her at district meetings and the annual conference. During her time as Mascot, she raised $4,000 for MDA! She currently attends Texas Tech University.
Believe it or not, we also had several other father and son members, and some husband-and-wife teams. You might just say we keep it “All in the Family.”
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Photos courtesy of Chuck Richardson |
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Junior Firefighter Program Starter Kit
Is your fire department looking for a way to increase non-operational support, enhance community relations, and create a pipeline for recruitment? Then start a junior firefighter program!
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has released an updated
Junior Firefighter Program Starter Kit to help departments build the framework for a successful youth program. (Click the image to learn more,) |
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October featured store item:
Quad-Certified Protection for Active First Responders
HAIX recently released a new quad-certified structural boot with a revolutionary lace-up system - the Fire Eagle Xtreme. And it’s not just a cool name. This boot is legit.
Xtreme certified protection
From its xtreme slip resistant and puncture resistant sole to its durable bull hide leather to its debris reducing capabilities, Fire Eagle Xtreme has you covered no matter what your job demands.
Xtreme toe and metatarsal protection
The lightweight and roomy composite toe cap surpasses all safety requirements, while the metatarsal plate keeps the most vulnerable part of your foot safe and secure.
Xtreme protection from liquids, pathogens and chemicals
Our CROSSTECH® inner liner not only keeps your feet dry and comfortable, but it also offers impenetrable protection from chemicals, blood, and body fluids. A soft close-fitting cuff keeps out debris and contaminants.
Xtreme slip resistance
Our revolutionary sole with its athletic design offers unparalleled traction on water, ice and snow and added protection from the heat and cold you encounter on the fireground. Yellow markings make you more visible in dim conditions and the built-in boot jack makes it easier to get your boots off.
Lightweight athletic comfort with a personalized fit
Fire Eagle Xtreme was created to fuel your inner athlete. Amazingly lightweight and responsive, allowing you to move and maneuver with ease. The secure fit supports your ankle without sacrificing flexibility. All while offering maximum protection on the job.
Customized fit
Fire Eagle Xtreme's RAPIDfit lacing system allows you to customize your fit, offering better lower leg and ankle security and stability, which means less chance for injury. Dual laces allow you to rapidly secure the footbed and boot shaft independently of one another with just one pull. Lock and go.
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Want to learn more?
Check out this boot on our store page! |
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2024 Membership Drive - Don't Have a Lapse in Coverage!
Sign up/renew beginning November 1. |
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Have you logged into the SFFMA PORTAL? It’s easy to set up your account and much easier to navigate because it was designed to be more intuitive. Find what you want quickly and efficiently!
Here are some things you can do on PORTAL:
- Verify membership and certification info.
- Find individuals or departments.
- Verify SFFMA-issued certifications.
Visit www.sffmaportal.org/ to take a test drive!
Important Reminder: You won’t receive a membership invoice in the mail, but it’s crazy easy to log into PORTAL and generate your own invoice. You can then pay online or print it out and mail it with a check – whatever is easiest for you and your department.
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If you’re using the SFFMA PORTAL for the first time, be sure to create your new account and login. It's easy - really! |
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Need information or have questions about testing and certification? Check out our website to learn more. You can also check with your department's certification coordinator if you need additional help. |
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VFIS Emergency Responder Health
& Wellness Grant
VFIS of Texas and Texas Mutual Insurance Company are sponsoring a need-based Health & Wellness Grant program for fire departments and nonprofit EMS organizations in Texas. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded based on financial need and are intended to assist emergency service organizations in developing a health & wellness program to prevent emergency responder deaths and injuries and for cancer prevention.
Departments will need to apply for the grant, expend the funds and then send in copies of receipts to receive the reimbursement of grant funding. Accepting applications now through December 31, 2023. Learn more and apply here.
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VFIS of Texas is more than an insurance agency. They also offer training, education, and risk control services to assist your organization in all facets.
Every year injuries occur to emergency service personnel during training or on actual emergency calls. The company's goal is to educate and train personnel to better protect them and to reduce their risk of injury or death.
Part of this commitment is promoting the safe operation of emergency vehicles. With this in mind, VFIS of Texas and TEEX have partnered to provide a nationally recognized Emergency Vehicle Driver Training program through the TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute (ESTI). ESTI is the NFA-recognized State Fire Training agency for the state of Texas. To request a course or to review the ESTI Extension course schedule, CLICK HERE. |
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Upcoming Meetings
Texas Industrial Emergency Services Board
Friday, October 20, 2023 – 8 a.m.
Wyndham Houston (near NRG Park/Medical Center)
8686 Kirby Drive
Houston, Texas 77843
2024 District Leaders Symposium
January 26 – 28, 2024
707 W FM 1626, Manchaca (This is at the SFFMA headquarters in Austin)
NOTE: Districts should plan to send two (2) board members to take part in this important gathering.
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Written Testing Dates
(Click here for more options)
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
5:30 PM - 9:30 PM (CDT)
Brenham FD
101 N Chappell Hill St
Brenham, TX 77833
HazMat Awareness (25 Questions)
5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
HazMat Operations (25 Questions)
6:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Firefighter I (50 Questions)
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Firefighter II (50 Questions)
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
To register or cancel, contact: Kevin Creamer
State Firefighters' & Fire Marshals' Association of Texas | SFFMA testing@sffma.org
Registration closes 4 p.m. on Monday, October 23.
Inability to attend the testing session must be communicated to Austin staff prior to the start of the session to avoid forfeiture of testing fees.
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A snapshot of pics from volunteer fire departments across Texas |
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The District 4/South Central Fall Meeting was enlighening! |
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Community VFD at a structure fire. |
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Center Point VFD learning extrication techniques. |
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Cresson VFD showing a youngster one of the big red trucks. |
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Lexington VFD hosts regular movie nights, which always include a ride in the open air tourist bus. |
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Firefighters from Jourdanton VFD at a vehicle extrication class |
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One of the cheering sections during the Alvin VFD Smoke Eater 5k Fun Run & Challenge, which is a tribute to Captain Charles Krampota – LODD AVFD. |
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Boerne Fire Department held a fish fry recently; looks delish! |
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Community members from Ander-Weser came out to support their local VFD at the annual fried chicken steak fundraiser. |
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Receive special swag and experience what it takes to run alongside the best of the best – our nation's Special Warfare Airmen and Operators. During each of these heats, racers will be tasked with not only making their way through 5K of obstacles, they’ll also be tasked with working with fellow racers to complete tasks through team building work and will experience added layers of mental difficulty as they learn more about how the best of the best in the military is trained.
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District Leaders Symposium for executive board members |
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The SFFMA Executive Board invites district leaders to a District Leaders Symposium! |
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Friday, January 26, 6-9 p.m. Meet/Greet, Location TBA
Saturday, January 27, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. SFFMA Offices
Sunday, January 28, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. SFFMA Offices |
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Your SFFMA Executive Board encourages up to two of your executive board members to join us at the Austin office for this important meeting. Why attend? To have a voice in this organization!
At this meeting you will...
- Foster improved communication between districts and the association.
- Interact with each other and discuss common issues, questions and concerns.
- Establish a forum for developing association goals and direction.
- Discuss the association’s and districts’ responsibilities.
- Cover important topics, e.g., recruiting and retention, grant program benefits, new research, universal issues and best practices.
- Receive valuable guidance and training.
- Meet with representatives from stakeholder organizations and benefit providers.
Agenda will be shared in advance of the symposium.
What we will need from you between now and January:
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
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MILEAGE AND MEAL COSTS ASSUMED BY ATTENDEES ARE REIMBURSABLE.
- NO COST TO THE ATTENDEES FOR THE HOTEL ROOMS. (Attendees are responsible for any incidental charges incurred at hotel – may be required to provide a CC card # at check-in).
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Questions about SFFMA? We’ve got answers! We occasionally get questions about the association, so we’re sharing them - and the answers - here.
Have questions about SFFMA or the benefits of being a member? Let us know! Send an email to Membership. |
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