SFFMA SAFER Grant

SFFMA was awarded another grant cycle of the SAFER Grant!

The State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas is currently operating under its fourth SAFER Grant, which is in effect from December 23, 2025, to December 22, 2029.

The SFFMA Grant program is funded by a 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant through the Department of Homeland Security.

The total grant award is $2,805,000 and covers several areas of need faced by volunteer fire departments in Texas including:

  • Basic firefighter training

  • Marketing of the departments in the local communities

  • Leadership and career development workshops

  • Assistance with association membership dues - see page 5 of Administrative Guide

  • Travel costs for some training events.

The Grant also covers:

SFFMA SAFER GRANT ACCIDENT AND HEALTH BENEFIT SUMMARY

Coverage Period: February 1, 2026, through December 22, 2029

I. Death Benefit

II. Impairment Benefits

III. Income Protection Benefits

IV. First Responders Assistance Program (FRAP) - see more info below

FIRST RESPONDER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (FRAP)

Offering 24/7 Mental Health & PTSD Support

FRAP offers 24/7 confidential assistance for stress, depression, anxiety, family conflict, grief and loss, relationship issues, financial or legal concerns, addictions, problem gambling, and child or elder care. Call (855) 207-1747

Click below for the Administration Guide and Reimbursement Forms:

NEW ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDE FOR DEPARTMENTS, CLICK HERE

TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT FORM, CLICK HERE

ADVANCED TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT FORM, CLICK HERE

GENERAL INFORMATION HANDOUT, CLICK HERE

PROVIDENT BENEFIT FLYER, CLICK HERE

FRAP BROCHURE, CLICK HERE

MEMBERSHIP DUES REQUEST FORM*, CLICK HERE

*NOTE: To qualify for membership dues reimbursement your departments operational budget must be $50,000 or under. 

Other Programs Available* to Texas Departments and Personnel (and scholarships for children of firefighters)

VFIS of Texas/Texas Mutual Insurance Company Health and Wellness Grant:

VFIS of Texas and Texas Mutual Insurance Company proudly sponsor a need-based Health and Wellness Grant program for fire departments and non-profit EMS organizations in Texas. Grants of up to $5,000 per department are awarded based upon financial need and are intended to encourage participation in a health and wellness program to reduce emergency responder injuries and deaths. Approved departments expend the funds, then submit copies of receipts to receive reimbursement up to the limit of the program.

Programs administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service:

Rural VFD Assistance Program (HB 2604) - A cost-sharing program funded by the Texas Legislature. It provides funding to rural VFDs for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, computer systems and firefighter training.

Rural VFD Insurance Program (HB 3667) - The program provides reimbursement grants for Texas firefighters to obtain workers’ compensation, death, and disability insurance from private insurance companies.

Volunteer Recruitment Resources Assistance Grant - The program assists qualifying fire departments with bolstering staffing and enhancing community fire protection.

DOD Firefighter Property Program - The U.S. Department of Defense firefighter Property Program provides excess DoD military property to emergency service providers. Ownership of the equipment is passed from the federal government to the recipient.

Federal Excess Personal Property - Texas A&M Forest Service acquires excess federal equipment on loan from the federal government. The property is then loaned to fire departments, which then become responsible for maintenance of the property as long as it is in their possession.

Firesafe Program - Merchandise is purchased in bulk in order to pass along savings to rural and small community fire departments. Eligible fire departments get quality wildland and structural protective clothing at savings of 30 to 40 percent.

Helping Hands Program - The program allows the donation of used equipment while providing liability relief to the donor. Typical donations include structural firefighting gear, hoses, nozzles, rescue tools, ladders, and other equipment essential to fire departments.

VFD Motor Vehicle Self Insurance Program - Texas A&M Forest Service provides vehicle liability insurance at a greatly reduced cost.

TIFMAS Grant Assistance Program - The program provides reimbursement grants to career and combination fire departments that are not eligible for assistance under the Rural VFD Assistance Program.

Administered by Employee Retirement System of Texas:

Line of Duty Death Benefit - The benefit provides for $500,000 per incident. It is available to any firefighter’s family in the event of a line-of-duty death. A college tuition exemption is also available to children of fallen firefighters. Learn more from the Texas LODD Taskforce.

Administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board:

College Tuition Exemption - Volunteer and paid firefighters seeking a fire science degree are exempt from college tuition (excludes lab fees, etc.).

*SFFMA cannot guarantee the availability or accuracy of the information above. Please check with each program/agency for the most current, accurate info.

Texas Firemens Auxiliary

TFA Scholarship - Who is eligible? Children and grandchildren (including step) of active, retired or deceased members of the Texas Firemens Auxiliary or SFFMA who are graduating high school seniors or current college/vocational-tech students.

You can request a scholarship packet Between November 1 - January 31 annually. Send an email to tfascholarshipchairman@gmail.com to get your application.