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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.

National report urges more firefighting infrastructure

A just-released national report notes that more water infrastructure is necessary to support fire suppression efforts. Representatives from across the U.S. – including two SAFE-D representatives – urged Congress to expand funding, especially as wildfires increase. Read a copy of the National Special District Coalition report by clicking here.

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.

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.

SAFE-D offers members help on tax rates

SAFE-D offers its member ESDs assistance as they prepare their budgets and adopt tax rates.

For a copy of the July 25 Webcast "Understanding ESD Tax Rates", go to the SAFE-D Member Center. Use the tab above or click directly to https://safe-d.growthzoneapp.com/MIC/Login to log in. After you log in, click the Resources area from the menu on the left. Along with the webcast recording, you'll also find a link to the Comptroller's Truth-in-Taxation forms that are required for tax-setting.

Texas Tax Code Section 26.04 has Internet posting requirements for ESDs and other local governments in the state. One fast-approaching deadline is Aug. 7.

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

Still Need to File Your ESD Report?

More than 250 ESDs have filed their statute-required report, and SAFE-D has transmitted the data to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Use this link to download an Excel file of the reports as the most recent filings.

Under Chapter 775.083, all emergency services districts in Texas are required to file an annual report with TDEM. The report is due Jan. 1, but some ESDs wait until after their first meeting of the year, when they select the officers of their Board of Commissioners.

Through an agreement with TDEM, SAFE-D has developed an online system to collect the reports. SAFE-D will transmit all reports received by Jan. 1 to TDEM.
 
Use the link below to file your report. Before you file:
 
1) Designate the person from your ESD who will complete the filing. Multiple submissions (for example, by the president and the secretary of your ESD Board of Commissioners) may complicate your compliance.
 
2) Review the form to make sure you have the information you need  (i.e. district population and area).
 
3) Before you press the Submit button, press the Print button to print the report for your records.

 

Click here to submit your report for Jan. 1, 2022

SAFE-D On-Demand Training

SAFE-D is adding on-demand courses to allow ESD commissioners to earn required training hours on their own schedules. Click here to see a list of available courses.

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.

hall

Save the Date for the 2023 SAFE-D Annual Conference

SAFE-D will return to the Kalahari Convention Center Feb. 2-4, 2023 for its 21st Annual Conference. The hotel room block will open in early November.

Thanks to the more-than-1,000 people who participated in the 2022 event. (Above) A packed Exhibit Hall drew ESD officials from across Texas!

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

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects

Brown Reynolds Watford Architects

Bronze Sponsors

AG|CM

Allegiance Bank

Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects

Casco Industries, Inc.

General Truck Body

Precision Utility LLC

Texas CLASS