Preparing for Wildfires | Fire Department Programs

PREPARING FOR WILDFIRES

Prevent Wildfires

+Prepare for Wildfires

+Wildland Urban Interface

Communities in Action

-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.

Training tuition grant assistance is now available through FireConnect!

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. Texas A&M Forest Service training is coordinated by the Incident Response Department Training Section and delivered by qualified and experienced agency staff.

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+ Connect with your Local Field Representative

Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinators
+ Quicklinks
FireConnect
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)
Texas A&M Forest Service 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
Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESRS)

RELATED INFORMATION

PREVENT WILDFIRES

TEXAS BURN BANS

FIRE DANGER

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC)

NATIVE VS. NON-NATIVE VS. INVASIVE SPECIES

The tree landscape in Texas is made up by a variety of species. From ponderosa pines in West Texas to oaks in Central Texas to dogwoods in East Texas, trees play a vital role in our ecosystem and provide countless benefits. But, what about species that cause negative impacts – invasive species?

AFTER THE STORM

Storms often leave trees looking bare and deflated—but these looks can be deceiving. Trees have an uncanny ability to recover from storm damage. Before assuming your trees are lost, give them a quick assessment.

CAREERS

Texas A&M Forest Service offers careers that can take you anywhere from a wildfire line defending lives and homes, to a forest protecting and conserving Texas natural resources to a computer working on a new application to create solutions for Texans across the state.

NEWSROOM

Five-year study examines health of bees in East Texas
A five-year study is aiming to assess the health of bee populations in East Texas. The project, which started in 2022, is a collaboration between Stephen F. Austin State University, Sam Houston State University and Texas A&M Forest Service.

Bexar Branches Alliance, City of College Station receive grants for urban forest sustainability
Texas A&M Forest Service has awarded two grants to community programs that promote urban and community forestry.

Palo Pinto County develops Community Wildfire Protection Plan to address wildfire risk
Palo Pinto County has adopted a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to reduce risks and better prepare for wildfires.

NATIVE VS. NON-NATIVE VS. INVASIVE SPECIES

AFTER THE STORM

CAREERS

NEWSROOM

3/26/2023 1:15:00 PM
Five-year study examines health of bees in East Texas
A five-year study is aiming to assess the health of bee populations in East Texas. The project, which started in 2022, is a collaboration between Stephen F. Austin State University, Sam Houston State University and Texas A&M Forest Service.

3/14/2023 7:55:00 PM
Bexar Branches Alliance, City of College Station receive grants for urban forest sustainability
Texas A&M Forest Service has awarded two grants to community programs that promote urban and community forestry.

3/13/2023 5:40:00 PM
Palo Pinto County develops Community Wildfire Protection Plan to address wildfire risk
Palo Pinto County has adopted a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to reduce risks and better prepare for wildfires.

NATIVE VS. NON-NATIVE VS. INVASIVE SPECIES

AFTER THE STORM

CAREERS

NEWSROOM

NATIVE VS. NON-NATIVE VS. INVASIVE SPECIES

AFTER THE STORM

CAREERS

TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE

TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE

ADMINISTRATION

ADMINISTRATION

STATE OF TEXAS

STATE OF TEXAS

SOCIAL

BREAKING NEWS

SOCIAL

BREAKING NEWS