Hello fellow firefighters across the state,

 

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. With 2025 upon us, we’re excited to share that it’s already off to a great start!

 

The Executive Board is proud to announce the appointment of our new Executive Director, Mrs. Cherry Kay Abel. She brings more than sixteen years of experience in association management, helping organizations achieve strategic growth, financial sustainability, and stronger member engagement.

Please join us in giving her a warm welcome across the state! Mrs. Abel officially started on January 13 and will be attending the District Officer Symposium and upcoming district meetings. We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to the continued growth and leadership she will bring to our great association.

 

District Officers Symposium

The SFFMA District Officers Symposium is just over a week away; it takes place January 24-26 at our office Manchaca. We have a substantial agenda. Also, if your district has any by-laws amendments, those need to be submitted by the end of the Planning Conference to the SFFMA By-Laws Committee. 

 

Also be on the lookout for your NEW SFFMA Membership Decals as you renew. 

 

The staff and executive board have been working hard on the 2025 Training Conference and Convention in Frisco. We will share news and updates soon! You'll be able to start reserving your rooms shortly; check out our Facebook page or website for updates.

 

TCFP Reciprocity

SFFMA has been working toward full reciprocity with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP). We are currently in the M.O.U. Phase. Achieving this goal will create more streamlined certification processes, enabling volunteer and career firefighters to transition between roles and departments seamlessly while meeting consistent state standards.

 

This effort is a critical step toward reinforcing our commitment to professional development across the fire service spectrum. Our team, including each one of you, has worked closely with TCFP to ensure our training programs meet their certification requirements. These conversations are progressing, and I’m optimistic that we will reach a solution that benefits firefighters across the state. Stay tuned for more updates.

 

Membership

SFFMA membership runs from January 1-December 31 each calendar year. Renew now for 2025.

• Over 16,860 individual members and 924 entities renewed in 2024.
• We have two new member categories: retired and junior, both of which have seen significant interest. 
• LODD Benefits Compliance: Please continue to reinforce the importance of volunteer departments holding a training meeting at least twice a month to maintain eligibility for line-of-duty death (LODD) benefits. Non-compliance could lead to denial of benefits.
• VFIS Insurance: Remind members to keep beneficiary forms up to date and on file; this is crucial for ensuring timely benefit distribution. 

 

Cherry Kay Abel is a seasoned association management executive with over sixteen years of experience leading organizations to achieve strategic growth, financial sustainability, and enhanced member engagement. Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation for her expertise in strategic and financial planning, advocacy, board governance, and volunteer management.

 

She was most recently Director of Sales & Convention Services at Visit Bastrop where she drove business development efforts, created successful sales strategies, and worked collaboratively with key stakeholders to raise the destination’s profile. 

 

Previously, as the Executive Director and Chief Officer of the Texas Association of Assessing Officers (TAAO), Cherry successfully oversaw the operations of a statewide nonprofit, managing a $1.5 million budget and a team of four. She expanded membership and significantly increased conference attendance while launching educational programs that generated substantial revenue for the association. Her ability to engage with both members and stakeholders allowed TAAO to thrive and advance its legislative and regulatory goals.

 

As an Executive Director, Cherry is committed to fostering growth, cultivating strong relationships, and enhancing the overall impact of the organization she serves. Her proven track record of leadership, strategic insight, and community engagement positions her to make a lasting impact in her new role.

 

Cherry holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management from Concordia University in Austin, TX, and holds certifications in Cvent Supplier Network and Texas Destination Marketer Designation.

 

 

 

Cheryl Adams                 Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department                  

Bradley Bass                  Independent

Korbin Gee                      DCBE/ Acton Volunteer Fire Department                              

Diego Guerrero               Granbury Volunteer Fire Department                                    

Jacob Gutierrez              Granbury Volunteer Fire Department                                  

Herrera, Agapito              Penitas volunteer Fire Department                                         

Marvin Holmes                DCBE/ Acton Volunteer Fire Department                             

Casey Kovar                    West Carlisle Fire Department                                                  

David Lee Lowery           Granbury Volunteer Fire Department                                    

Maxwell Madison            Granbury Volunteer Fire Department                                  

Diego Perez                     Socorro Fire Department                                                           

Randy Roysdon              Combine Fire and Rescue

Albert Saldana                 Natalia VFD                              

David Stithem                  Victoria County Fire Department                                           

Sam Stone                        DCBE /Acton Volunteer Fire Department                            

Zachary D. Tamayo          Penitas Fire Department    

James Thibodeaux          Orange County ESD 4           

Joshua Torres                       West Carlisle Volunteer Fire Department

 

We offer two professional development courses each year, this one and the Fire Chief Developemnt Program.  Learn more about both on our website. Both are led by Andy Dexter, fire chief at Harris County/Klein Fire Department.

Not pictured above: Fire Chief Marvin Holmes, DCBE/ Acton Volunteer Fire Department; Cheryl Adams, Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department; Agapito Herrera, Penitas volunteer Fire Department; Zachary D. Tamayo, Penitas Fire Department; Diego Perez, Socorro Fire Department   

 

 

Vector Solutions teamed up with SFFMA to make its industry-leading online training management platform, TargetSolutions, more affordable for SFFMA members. For a limited time, association members are eligible to receive a special discounted rate that will save significant money, as well as time and stress when managing training compliance. If you've been waiting for the perfect time to start TargetSolutions, your time is now!

 

by J Pete Laney

 

The time has come. The 89^th Legislative Session has officially begun. The Capitol was buzzing on Tuesday, January 14, when the House and Senate gaveled into session. On the agenda was to swear in the members, both old and new, and for the House to elect a new Speaker. 

 

Once all the dust settled and the votes were cast, Dustin Burrows of Lubbock was elected Speaker of the House. Many of you will recall Speaker Burrows served on the investigative committee looking into the Panhandle Wildfires. Not only did SFFMA work with Speaker Burrows on the Committee, but he has always been a strong supporter of our volunteers across the state and in his home area of the south plains.

 

I can tell you firsthand, and President Tidwell and others can attest, Speaker Burrows has always had an open door as a State Representative and will continue to do so as Speaker of the House. We look forward to working with him during this session as we advocate for the thousands of volunteers and VFD’s across Texas. Over the next few weeks committees will be assigned, and hearings will begin as legislation starts moving through the process.  

 

The legislature will also be deciding how to spend its large surplus of funds. As many have heard me say, there will be lots of hands out, but no handouts. As state agencies and interest groups walk the halls advocating for funding, SFFMA will be right there seeking additional funding for the 2604 Grant Program. 

 

There is currently a near $200 million backlog of requests. Just as we have in the past, we will continue to stress to the legislature the need to address the backlog, and to make sure there is enough money going into the program to cover the yearly grant requests. At the same time, we are also working with members of the legislature to come up with ways to try to address the recruitment and retention challenges faced by many of our departments. 

 

The next 139 days will be fast and furious. As we say around the Capitol, with as much that can change in one day, every day seems like seven. Be looking for updates as we go through the session.

 

If you would like to be involved with reaching out to your member of the legislature as the process moves forward, please let us know. You can contact me or President Tidwell and we’d love to have you involved. 

 

Please contact J Pete Laney, if you have any questions the current legislative session.

 

 

 

Episode 1 - Membership Drive

Episode 2 - Cerification Changes

Certification Update 

 

The following changes to the SFFMA Certification Program went into effect January 1, 2025.

 

• Addition of remaining Mission-Specific Responsibilities (NFPA 470: Chapter 9) objectives added to the Hazardous Materials/WMD Operations certification curriculum. 
• Written examinations updated to double the number of questions as well as access time. The intent is to decrease the number of points deducted for each incorrect answer.  
• Hazardous Materials Technician certification available.  

 

Download the current manual HERE for a full list of required objectives and administrative steps for each available certification. 

 

Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to your Zone Rep! 

Questions or Problems? Please contact your Certification Coordinator or Zone Representative; they can answer your questions about testing and certification. Visit these web pages for additional info:

 

Certification Board

Certification Manual

Available Certifications (Includes links for Cancer Awareness, etc.)