Preparing for Wildfires | Fire Department Programs

PREPARING FOR WILDFIRES

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Prevent Wildfires

+Prepare for Wildfires

+Wildland Urban Interface

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+Planning & Preparation

Local firefighters are our first line of defense against disasters. Texas A&M Forest Service capacity building programs have awarded over $238 million in grants to Texas fire departments including training for 72,695 firefighters. Learn more about how these programs are working to build the capacity of the Texas fire service by visiting the link below to view a short video.

Eligible fire departments can receive valuable assistance through programs offered by the Capacity Building Department. These programs enhance the ability of firefighters to protect themselves and the public from fire and related hazards.
We are proud to serve Texas fire departments and encourage participation in our many programs.

2024 TEEX Municipal School: Vouchers are no longer offered, due to a high percentage of nonattendance. Training tuition assistance for these schools can be requested via FireConnect. Grants for meal cards and dorms are also available to eligible departments via FireConnect.

Many of our grant programs are now available through FireConnect!
FireConnect Guide Videos
Fire Department Programs Summary
Submit Questions, Comments, or Recommendations
+ Volunteer

The primary goal of the VFD Assistance Programs is to enhance the emergency response capabilities of volunteer and combination fire departments with 20 or fewer paid members.

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+ Career

Career fire department assistance programs enhance the emergency response capabilities of fully paid and combination departments with 21 or more paid members.

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+ Wildfire & Incident Management Training

Texas A&M Forest Service provides nationally accredited wildfire and emergency management training throughout Texas to local, state and federal organizations. Training opportunities are offered that accommodate as few as one firefighter to an entire host organization or to multiple organizations. Texas A&M Forest Service training is coordinated by the Planning and Preparedness Department Training Section and delivered by qualified and experienced agency staff.

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+ Connect with your Local Field Representative

Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinators
+ Quicklinks
FireConnect
Primary Protection Area Reporting
Burn Ban Flags Available for Purchase
NIMS Adoption / Compliance
USFA/FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS)
Texas Interagency Coordination Center (TICC)
Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinators (RFC)
Attack From the Black Training Video
Death and Disability Benefits for Firefighters
Advisory Councils
Roscommon Equipment Center
State Firemen's & Fire Marshals' Association of Texas
Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Texas Engineering Extension Service
Texas Secretary of State
United States Department of Agriculture (Rural Development)
Texas Facility Commission
Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESRS)

RELATED INFORMATION

PREVENT WILDFIRES

TEXAS BURN BANS

FIRE DANGER

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC)

FIRE DANGER: CURRENT SITUATION

Find current wildfire activity, Texas fire potential, news and more.

HEALTHY TREES, HEALTHY LIVES

Research reinforces what much of the forestry community already knows — that trees have a positive impact on human health. Learn more.

Texas A&M Forest Service offers careers that can take you anywhere from a wildfire line defending lives and homes, to a forest protecting and conserving Texas natural resources to a computer working on a new application to create solutions for Texans across the state.

NEWSROOM

Texas volunteer fire departments receive $2.1 million in grants
On March 5, 2025, Texas A&M Forest Service held the second of three funding meetings of fiscal year 2025 for the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, awarding 94 grants totaling $2.1 million.

Panola County timber theft case resolved, recovered $50,240
Following a Texas A&M Forest Service timber theft investigation, $50,240 has been recovered to a group of Panola County landowners for unpaid timber sales.

Prepare for wildfires as potential continues - February 2025
As wildfire potential continues across Texas, prepare and keep prevention top of mind.

FIRE DANGER: CURRENT SITUATION

Find current wildfire activity, Texas fire potential, news and more.

HEALTHY TREES, HEALTHY LIVES

Research reinforces what much of the forestry community already knows — that trees have a positive impact on human health. Learn more.

CAREERS

NEWSROOM

3/11/2025 4:50:00 PM
Texas volunteer fire departments receive $2.1 million in grants
On March 5, 2025, Texas A&M Forest Service held the second of three funding meetings of fiscal year 2025 for the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, awarding 94 grants totaling $2.1 million.

3/6/2025 2:45:00 PM
Panola County timber theft case resolved, recovered $50,240
Following a Texas A&M Forest Service timber theft investigation, $50,240 has been recovered to a group of Panola County landowners for unpaid timber sales.

2/27/2025 3:35:00 PM
Prepare for wildfires as potential continues - February 2025
As wildfire potential continues across Texas, prepare and keep prevention top of mind.

FIRE DANGER: CURRENT SITUATION

HEALTHY TREES, HEALTHY LIVES

CAREERS

NEWSROOM

FIRE DANGER: CURRENT SITUATION

HEALTHY TREES, HEALTHY LIVES

CAREERS

TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE

TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE

ADMINISTRATION

ADMINISTRATION

STATE OF TEXAS

STATE OF TEXAS

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BREAKING NEWS

SOCIAL

BREAKING NEWS