SFFMA Professional Development
SFFMA offers two leadership development courses. Learn more about each below.
SFFMA Fire Chief Development Program
“The best class I've had! Thank you for presenting such a comprehensive program!” Charles T.
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 course 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 TBA. Registration is limited so apply early!
Email us with questions!
Class participants must attend all four weekends to graduate.
2027 Dates:
February 5-7, 2027
May 14-16, 2027
August 6-8, 2027
October 15-17, 2027 (Graduation weekend)
In-person sessions are held at the SFFMA Headquarters -
707 W FM 1626, Austin, TX 78748
“Great class so much was learned from so many people and the instructors was hands down the best in the business big shout out to Andy Dexter for the passion and dedication you have put into this great job sir.” Thomas J.
“Great Class, with some of the most amazing Instructors and talented chief officers throughout the state of Texas!!! Proud and Honored to have been part of this class.” Mike P.
“This class did a great job of leading the students to concepts and solutions for chief officers. I found every hour spent with them worth the time.” Robert W.
Thanks to our 2027 FCDP sponsor: Heat Safety Equipment!! We appreciate their generous support.
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 TBA.
Both weekends and all 10 webinars must be attended in order to graduate.
Weekend 1 at SFFMA HQ - Intro/Orientation Weekend
Friday - February 19, 2027 from 1800 hours to 2200 hours (4 hours)
Saturday - February 20, 2027 from 0800 to 1800 hours (10 hours)
Sunday - February 21, 2027 from 0800 to 1200 hours (4 hours)
Ten webinar classes on Tuesday evenings via Zoom between the two weekends. The full schedule will be provided to accepted students.
Weekend 2 at SFFMA HQ - Graduation Weekend
Friday - December 3, 2027 from 1800 hours to 2200 hours (4 hours)
Saturday - December 4, 2027 from 0800 to 1800 hours (10 hours)
Sunday - December 5, 2027 from 0800 to 1200 hours (4 hours)
SFFMA Headquarters - 707 W FM 1626, Austin, TX 78748
Thanks to our 2027 MOP sponsor: Heat Safety Equipment!! We appreciate their generous support.