SFFMA Fire Chief Development Program
Originally created in 2017, 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, with a concentration on communities of 2,500 or less, all the way up to 200,000 or more.
This year will consist of a 64‐hour program of leadership topics taught by SFFMA leaders over a period of four weekends at the SFFMA office in Austin, Texas. Participants are also expected to complete a series of out‐of‐class assignments designed to enhance and validate the training received.
The SFFMA Fire Chief Development Program is approved for HB 2604 reimbursement. For those departments that qualify for HB 2604 funding, the only out‐of‐pocket costs to participants will be their time, fuel costs, and incidentals. The cost of lodging, and select meals, will be provided, as well as beverages and snacks during class.
The cost of each phase/weekend is $280. Registration is limited so apply early!
Class participants must attend all four weekends to graduate. Next year’s program dates are as follows:
Weekend 1: February 16-18, 2024
Weekend 2: May 3-5, 2024
Weekend 3: August 2-4, 2024
Weekend 4: October 25-27, 2024
Held at the SFFMA Headquarters - 707 W FM 1626, Austin, TX 78748
Email us with questions!
The 2024 Fire Chief Development and the Managing Officer Programs are currently full. Please contact Julie for more information on wait list options.
Managing Officer Program - Training Officer
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. The initial weekend, as well as final weekend, will be held at the SFFMA office in Manchaca, Texas. The remaining 9 webinar classes will be held via Zoom. The Managing Officer Program has been approved for both HB 2604 and TIFMAS reimbursement. For those departments that qualify for HB 2604 funding, the only out‐of‐pocket costs to participants will be their time, fuel costs, and incidentals. Hotel lodging, select meals, as well as beverages and snacks will be provided on site during class. The cost of each phase/weekend is $280.
Both weekends and all webinars must be attended in order to graduate.
Weekend 1 at SFFMA HQ
Friday - February 9, 2024 from 1800 hours to 2200 hours (4 hours)
Saturday - February 10, 2024 from 0800 to 1800 hours (10 hours)
Sunday - February 11, 2024 from 0800 to 1200 hours (4 hours)
Ten webinar classes on Wednesday evenings via Zoom between the two weekends.
Weekend 2 at SFFMA HQ - Graduation Weekend
Friday - December 6, 2024 from 1800 hours to 2200 hours (4 hours)
Saturday - December 7, 2024 from 0800 to 1800 hours (10 hours)
Sunday - December 8, 2024 from 0800 to 1200 hours (4 hours)
SFFMA Headquarters - 707 W FM 1626, Austin, TX 78748
