Why Participate?

Participation in the SFFMA Certification Program is not a membership requirement, but is highly recommended.

Benefits of participation include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • For the Department

    Enhanced credentialing and expertise for department personnel, resulting in safer and more efficient operations overall.

    Provides an incentive to help with recruiting and retention of volunteer personnel.

    Increased availability of state and federal grant funds.

  • For the Individual

    Enhancement of your fire protection expertise and capabilities, helping you perform your duties more safely and effectively.

    The opportunity for a track to a full-time fire protection career if desired.

    Waiver of tuition and fees at local colleges when working toward a degree in Fire Science.

    The opportunity to obtain specialized firefighter license plates for your vehicle..

  • For the Community

    The benefits from a more highly credentialled and skilled fire protection force.

    A possible reduction in homeowners’ insurance rates through an improved ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating.

The State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas (SFFMA) offers your department the opportunity to track and apply your members’ training to a national standard. Our certifications cover NFPA objectives in a format easily managed on a part-time basis by the volunteer fire service.

The Certification Board realizes that your department’s members have other responsibilities and demands on their time. For this reason, the program allows an individual to spread the training over an extended period of time, rather than taking leave to attend full-time training.