SFFMA SAFER Grant
Update as of September 21, 2026
The State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas (SFFMA) was awarded its fourth round of SAFER Grant funding; SAFER 4 began in December 2025.
Our SAFER Grant Committee voted in September 2026 to enact changes to the approval process for some categories of SAFER 4 funds. Please see the updated Administrative Guide below. Additional information will be posted soon.
NOTE: funding for Training, PPE, Physicals, Physician Exams, and Membership has been exhausted for 2026, which is part of SAFER 3.
Funding* for training, advanced training, physicals and PPE will be available beginning in January 2027; there is now a pre-approval process for PPE and Physicals. Under that process, departments wishing to utilize SAFER funding for PPE and Physicals will submit a pre-approval form; if approved, the department will then receive the reimbursement forms.
*Qualifications for grant reimbursement include an operational budget of $75,000 or less.
Membership funds** for the calendar year 2027 will be available beginning November 1, 2026.
**NOTE: To qualify for membership dues reimbursement your department’s operational budget must be $50,000 or under.
The SAFER Grant also covers:
SFFMA SAFER GRANT ACCIDENT AND HEALTH BENEFIT SUMMARY from Provident Insurance
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
See the Provident Brochure
FIRST RESPONDER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (FRAP) through Provident Insurance
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.
See the FRAP Brochure
> > To access the FRAP, call (855) 207-1747 < <
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 $10,000 may be awarded to help support health, wellness, safety, and cancer-prevention initiatives for emergency responders. Grants 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 Firemen’s Auxiliary
TFA Scholarship - Who is eligible? Children and grandchildren (including step) of active, retired or deceased members of the Texas Firemen’s 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.