Preparing for Wildfires | Fire Department Programs

PREPARING FOR WILDFIRES

Prevent Wildfires

+Prepare for Wildfires

+Wildland Urban Interface

-Fire Department Programs

+Planning & Preparation

Local firefighters are our first line of defense against disasters. Texas A&M Forest Service capacity building programs have awarded over $238 million in grants to Texas fire departments including training for 72,695 firefighters. Learn more about how these programs are working to build the capacity of the Texas fire service by visiting the link below to view a short video.

Eligible fire departments can receive valuable assistance through programs offered by the Capacity Building Department. These programs enhance the ability of firefighters to protect themselves and the public from fire and related hazards.
We are proud to serve Texas fire departments and encourage participation in our many programs.
Fire Department Programs Summary
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+ Volunteer

The primary goal of the VFD Assistance Programs is to enhance the emergency response capabilities of volunteer and combination fire departments with 20 or fewer paid members.

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+ Career

Career fire department assistance programs enhance the emergency response capabilities of fully paid and combination departments with 21 or more paid members.

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+ Wildfire & Incident Management Training

Texas A&M Forest Service provides nationally accredited wildfire and emergency management training throughout Texas to local, state and federal organizations. Training opportunities are offered that accommodate as few as one firefighter to an entire host organization or to multiple organizations. TFS training is coordinated by the Incident Response Department Training Section and delivered by qualified and experienced TFS staff.

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+ Connect with your Local Field Representative

TFS Regional Fire Coordinators
+ Quicklinks
Fire Department Directory (FDD)

The Fire Department Directory Web application provides users with a comprehensive listing of fire departments and their resources within the state of Texas. It provides fire departments with the opportunity to submit fire reports, and the ability to follow activity within the fire department assistance programs.
Primary Protection Area Reporting
Burn Ban Flags Available for Purchase
NIMS Adoption / Compliance
USFA/FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS)
Texas Interagency Coordination Center (TICC)
TFS Regional Fire Coordinators (RFC)
Attack From the Black Training Video
Death and Disability Benefits for Firefighters
Advisory Councils
Roscommon Equipment Center
State Firemen's & Fire Marshals' Association of Texas
Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Texas Engineering Extension Service
Texas Secretary of State
United States Department of Agriculture (Rural Development)
Texas Facility Commission

RELATED INFORMATION

PREVENT WILDFIRES

TEXAS BURN BANS

FIRE DANGER

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC)

DO YOUR PART, DON’T LET A WILDFIRE START

People and their activities cause more than 90 percent of all wildfires in Texas. The largest number of human-caused wildfires is a result of careless debris burning. Other causes of wildfires include sparks from welding and grinding equipment, carelessly discarded smoking materials, vehicles’ exhaust systems and arson.

TEXAS RANCH WILDFIRE PROGRAM

How are you preparing your ranch for a possible wildfire? Check out our new Texas Ranch Wildfire Program created to work with landowners to identify priority areas, boundaries and other factors on their ranches to allow firefighters to make tactical decisions that reflect each landowner's priorities.

HEALTHY TREES, HEALTHY LIVES

Research reinforces what much of the forestry community already knows — that trees have a positive impact on human health. Learn more.

NEWSROOM

Central Texas airtanker base activated to help fight wildfires across the state
Texas A&M Forest Service is opening the Austin Airtanker Base at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to assist with increased wildfire activity across the state.

Welding operations spark wildfires
Over the last 14 days in West Texas, temperatures climbed over 100 degrees and the last significant rain occurred in June, resulting in dry conditions ripe for wildfire ignition. Local fire departments responded to multiple fires sparked by welding in the last week.

Wildfires sparked by outdoor equipment can be prevented
Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments remind people operating equipment outdoors to be aware of current conditions to help reduce wildfires. Over the past week, Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters responded to six wildfires ignited by equipment use.

DO YOUR PART, DON’T LET A WILDFIRE START

TEXAS RANCH WILDFIRE PROGRAM

HEALTHY TREES, HEALTHY LIVES

Research reinforces what much of the forestry community already knows — that trees have a positive impact on human health. Learn more.

NEWSROOM

8/15/2019 2:10:00 PM
Central Texas airtanker base activated to help fight wildfires across the state
Texas A&M Forest Service is opening the Austin Airtanker Base at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to assist with increased wildfire activity across the state.

8/13/2019 2:10:00 PM
Welding operations spark wildfires
Over the last 14 days in West Texas, temperatures climbed over 100 degrees and the last significant rain occurred in June, resulting in dry conditions ripe for wildfire ignition. Local fire departments responded to multiple fires sparked by welding in the last week.

8/11/2019 4:20:00 PM
Wildfires sparked by outdoor equipment can be prevented
Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments remind people operating equipment outdoors to be aware of current conditions to help reduce wildfires. Over the past week, Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters responded to six wildfires ignited by equipment use.

DO YOUR PART, DON’T LET A WILDFIRE START

TEXAS RANCH WILDFIRE PROGRAM

HEALTHY TREES, HEALTHY LIVES

NEWSROOM

DO YOUR PART, DON’T LET A WILDFIRE START

TEXAS RANCH WILDFIRE PROGRAM

HEALTHY TREES, HEALTHY LIVES

TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE

TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE