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Photo by Sheri Hemrick

Photo by Sheri Hemrick

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

Sign up for SAFE-D legislative updates by filing out this quick form to join the email list.
Go HERE for the official SAFE-D Legislative Platform for the 89th Session.

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

The special House Committee investigating the massive Panhandle wildfire this year has issued its report, calling for more 2604 funds and better coordination between local firefighters and state assets.
Read the report in SAFE-D's Member Center. Log in under the Member Tab above.

Report: ESDs do more than municipalities for less taxpayer money

In a September 2022 report, noted economist Dr. Ray Perryman finds that ESDs provide emergency services for dramatically less than municipalities -- at one-third to one-half the costs.

Read the report here!

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.

Learn More

Want to know about ESDs?

If you have questions about Texas ESDs or would like some general information, let SAFE-D know!

Click here.

File Your 2025 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, 2025 report through SAFE-D.

USE THIS LINK TO FILE YOUR ESD's 2025 REPORT

For a link to the currently filed 2025 reports, go here: www.safe-d.org/esdreports25.

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

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.

SAFE-D Video: How to Create an ESD

More areas across Texas are considering creating an emergency services district to provide reliable funding for fire protection or emergency medical services.

SAFE-D has created a short, free video with steps required to create an ESD.

SAFE-D encourages residents who are considering an ESD to consult with an attorney experienced in local government matters to assist in the process.

We welcome your questions at admin@safe-d.org

SB8 EMS Personnel Scholarships

The Texas Legislature has set aside funds to educate and train EMS personnel. Scholarships are available based on documented need, with special attention given to rural and underserved areas within the state. Courses can be in-person, online, or hybrid.

Go HERE to find out more

Thanks for Attending SAFE-D's 2025 Annual Conference

SAFE-D's 24th Annual Conference will be held at the Henry B. Gonzáles Convention Center in San Antonio, January 29-31, 2026.

We hope to see you there!

TEEX Cyber Readiness Summit

When a cybersecurity attack occurs at the local level, it could affect a city, county, or ESD's emergency services, such as fire departments’ in-station or in-vehicle Wi-Fi, 9-1-1 systems and response times, personnel records and more. Learn how to protect your organization from these growing cybersecurity threats by integrating cybersecurity into your preparedness and response plans.

TEEX will hold a Cyber Readiness Summit from April 1-3, 2025 at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in San Marcos, TX. This is an opportunity for the Texas emergency services community to join together to discuss this emerging and important topic. GO HERE to register.

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NEW: Winter 24-25 Newsletter Available

An electronic version of the SAFE-D Members-Only Newsletter for Winter 2024-25 (above) is available in the Member Center.

Want to advertise in the SAFE-D Pen?

The SAFE-D Pen is the official newsletter of the State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts and is mailed out to members.

Click here for more information.

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.

Thanks to these generous sponsors of SAFE-D's 2025 Annual Conference

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

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Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Clicktunity LLC

FGM Architects

Radcliffe Adams Barner PLLC

Southwest Ambulance Sales, LLC

Streamline

 

 

Bronze Sponsors

AG|CM

Joiner Architects

Brown Reynolds Watford Architects, Inc.

Michael Rainey and Associates

Butler-Cohen

SLI Group, Inc.

Casco Industries

Stellar Bank

Emergicon/EmergiFire

Texas CLASS

Front Line
Mobile Health

Texas EMS School

Hoefer Welker