Welcome to the
State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts
SAFE-D is the only organization dedicated to helping the men and women of Texas Emergency Services Districts
provide fire protection and emergency medical services to more than 10 million Texans.
Sign Up for SAFE-D Legislative Updates
Federal Legislation Update - SDGAA
New: Interested in adding your ESD to the National Special District Coalition's list of SDGAA supporters? Click HERE.
Following the successful House passage of H.R. 7525 in May, U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and John Cornyn (R-TX) have now introduced companion Special District Grant Accessibility Act (S.4673)-SDGAA legislation in the Senate as S. 4673. The legislation would establish a first-ever, formal definition of “special district” in federal law and ensure communities served by these local agencies are eligible for all appropriate forms of federal financial assistance.
In addition to codifying this definition, the legislation would require the White House Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance to federal agencies requiring special districts (including Emergency Services Districts) to be recognized as local governments for the purpose of federal financial assistance determinations.
This would be a massively helpful bill for ESDs, as well as all special districts, and we thank Senator Cornyn specifically for making sure Texas leads the way on the issue!
Special Legislative Panel Calls for More Money for VFDs
FAQs About ESDs
Learn more about ESDs - grassroots governments that provide fire protection or emergency medical services at a fraction of the costs of municipal fire departments.
SAFE-D Video: How to Create an ESD
Register for the 2025 SAFE-D Annual Conference!
SAFE-D is back at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center (Round Rock, TX) for our 2025 Annual Conference! The event will be February 6-8, 2025. We hope to see you there!!
REGISTER HERE for SAFE-D's 2025 Annual Conference.
Information on the hotel block at Kalahari will be included in your registration confirmation.
SAFE-D 2025 Annual Conference - Call for Presentations
Share your knowledge about ESDs with our Conference attendees at the Annual Conference at the Kalahari Convention Center in Round Rock, TX (February 6-8, 2025). Go HERE to apply to present.
ESD Tax Rate Setting Hub
SAFE-D has created a page with resources for ESDs looking for guidance in setting their Ad Valorem Tax Rate. Go HERE to find a recording of the recent ESD Tax Rate Process webcast, links to Comptroller forms, rate setting timelines, and more.
As always, be sure to check with your own counsel should you have the need for legal advice
TEEX Fire & Emergency Services Career Day
TEEX Fire & Emergency Services Career Day for firefighters and EMTs/paramedics will be on Friday, Oct. 25th, 9:00am – 4:00pm at Brayton Fire Training Field (1595 Nuclear Science Road, College Station, Texas)!
Are you hiring Firefighters or EMT/Paramedics? Register for a table to recruit prospective job applicants at the event. Attendees include current and former TEEX Recruit Fire Academy and EMT/Paramedic students. Please contact careerservices@teex.tamu.edu with questions and to reserve a table.
ESD Websites
Senate Bill 2, passed in 2019, requires Texas ESDs to maintain websites and specifies information that must be available to the public. Here's a link to statutory requirements for local government websites, including ESDs.
Here is a link to Texas ESD websites.
To have your ESD's website added to this list, email admin@safe-d.org.
Notice of Funding Opportunity: FEMA Post Fire Fiscal Year 2024 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
The open application period for the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) - FY2024 Post Fire is now open and will end on November 1, 2024.
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)-Post Fire assistance helps communities implement hazard mitigation measures after wildfire disasters.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity is HERE and will be available at www.tdem.texas.gov in Current Funding Opportunities.
Contact your TDEM Regional Hazard Mitigation Section Chief coordinator early to assist with preparing a quality application or for any questions related to this opportunity
File State-Required ESD Report
State law (Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 775.083) requires Emergency Services Districts to file a report with the Texas Division of Emergency Management by January 1 of each year.
Through an agreement with TDEM, you can file your ESD's January 1, 2024 report through SAFE-D.
USE THIS LINK TO FILE YOUR ESD's 2024 REPORT or cut and paste this into your browser: www.safe-d.org/esdreports24.
SAFE-D unveils 2024 On-Demand Training
SAFE-D has won approval for on-demand courses, available throughout 2024. These affordable trainings allow ESD commissioners to earn required training hours on their own schedules. Click here to see a list of available courses and links to register.
TEEX TIFMAS Symposium
TEEX will hold a TIFMAS Symposium from Sept. 17-21, 2024 in Waco, TX. This is an opportunity for the Texas Fire Service to join together to improve the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System. GO HERE to register.
TEEX Training for First Responders
Emergency Medical Technician Program
The TEEX EMT Program is based on the National Standard Curriculum core competencies and meets or exceeds minimum hours and content established by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The 9 week EMT program includes 200 hours of classroom lecture and hand-on skills lab portion, 48 hours of clinical internship and 72 hours of field internship. Participants successfully completing the EMT program will receive a TEEX Certificate of Completion and be eligible to take for the National Registry Cognitive exam.
The class begins September 3rd, 2024. Learn more and register HERE.
Thanks for Attending SAFE-D's 2024 Annual Conference
Go HERE for the Official Conference Program
Save the Date for SAFE-D's 23rd Annual Conference, Feb. 6-8, 2025, at the Kalahari Convention Center in Round Rock, Texas. We hope to see you there!
Video Library
Access recordings of SAFE-D webcasts by clicking to https://www.safe-d.org/video-library/.
Coming Soon: This content will only be available to members through the soon-to-be-released Member Center.
