An SFFMA membership is a good investment for your department, for you, and for youe community. With us, you can:

 

• Find your people,
• Take charge of your career, and
• Enhance all the positive impact you have on your community.

 

Renew or join today! Visit our website to learn more.

NOTE: You can still pay for 2025 membership! Get peace of mind by making sure you have VFIS insurance coverage. You can also pay for 2025 if you need to take a test, including if you're working toward TCFP reciprocity. Learn more here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello fellow SFFMA members, 2025 is closing fast and 2026 is on the horizon and membership renewal is in full swing.  A reminder that 2025 membership expires at midnight on December 31. 

 

This is the perfect time to get that renewal done and not miss out on any benefits.  If you need assistance, please feel free to reach out to the Austin Staff and they can help guide you.

 

As stated in last month’s newsletter, Austin Staff and Executive Board members are preparing for the 2026 Conference Planning Meeting on January 9 at the Austin Office and following that we will be hosting the District Officers Symposium from January 9-11. 

 

We are certainly looking forward to seeing everyone again and sharing ideas to help the districts and SFFMA prosper.

 

Registration has opened for the next class of the Fire Chief Development Program and for the Managing Officer Program-Training Officer Leadership Academy, information is available on our website under the Training Tab or on our Facebook page. 

Here are two great opportunities to further your leadership potential for your career or your department.

 

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit our Facebook page lately, I strongly encourage you too. Our marketing team has been hard at work keeping that page fresh and informative. 

 

I would ask that as you view our Facebook page and see any of the vendors that advertise on our page, kindly give them like and share.  This helps the vendor, as well as helping our association.

 

As I close out, I again want to take the opportunity to thank you for your service to your community and your department and wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  

 

Stay Safe!

The 2026 District Leaders’ Symposium will be hosted by the SFFMA Executive Board at the SFFMA Offices in Austin, January 9-11, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday and concluding at noon on Sunday. Your board leaders will learn about what's happening, what's coming down the pike and other important info about SFFMA. It's also a chance to ask questions and engage in dialog with the state board.

 

Two members of each current District Executive Board should be chosen by the district to attend the symposium — districts should email the names of those attendees to the state office ASAP.

 

Special thanks to Heat Safety Equipment for sponsoring the January District Leaders Symposium!

 

Read more...

 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR DISTRICT LEADERS
AT THIS IMPORTANT MEETING! 

by Cherry Kay Abel

 

As November wraps up and December begins, I want to extend my appreciation to all our members for your continued dedication and service. This transition into the holiday season brings renewed energy and a busy schedule for many of our departments, and your commitment to your communities continues to strengthen our association and the Texas fire service.

 

Planning for the District Officer Symposium is well underway. The event will be held at the SFFMA State Office from January 9th at 6:00 p.m. through January 11th at noon. If you have any questions, please send an email to cabel@sffma.org. A finalized agenda will be shared soon.

 

We will also host a Conference Planning Committee meeting on January 9th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to begin preparations for the upcoming annual conference.

 

Our 2025 Membership Drive is well underway, and we encourage all departments and members to renew.

 

Don’t forget to renew early to take advantage of the many benefits available through SFFMA, including VFIS coverage, store discounts, and exclusive partner savings.

 

With Christmas approaching, many departments are gearing up for parades, holiday events, and community outreach. Thank you for the extra time and energy you invest during this busy season. We wish you and your families a safe, joyful, and meaningful holiday period.

 

Thank you again for your leadership and continued commitment.

 

As always, our staff is here to support you and please reach out with any questions or ideas.

 

With appreciation,
 

Cherry Kay Abel
Executive Director

SFFMA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire Brigade Level Sponsor: VFIS of Texas

Fire Department Sponsor: Texas Farm Bureau Insurance

Conference Games Sponsor:  National Foam

District Leaders Meeting Sponsor:  Heat Safety Equipment

Fire Chief Development Program: Heat Safety Equipment

Firefighter Level: TPC Group

Fire Service Supporter: Duty Coin

In-Kind Sponsor: Casco Industries

 

We appreciate your support of SFFMA and our efforts to improve the Texas Fire Service!

 

Learn how you can become an SFFMA Partner!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doodling was something Nicole Petrekovich, who goes by Nikki, did when she was young. A lot. But she didn’t grow out of that phase as she grew up. In fact, her desire to draw intensified. 

 

“I didn’t stop doodling,” she said. “Then I started redrawing things I saw.”

 

She remembers redrawing the design on a Bratz mug. (If you’re over 50 and don’t know what that means, it’s okay.)

 

Nikki has always been creative and art played a strong role in her upbringing. She parlayed her artistic interest into a college degree from Texas State University. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Graphic Design. The program encompassed everything from web design to book making and art direction.

 

Truth be told, her true artist desire leans toward illustration for movies and television.

 

“I’d love to use my skills to do pre-production design in film and TV,” she said. “It involves work such as character design and color scripting.”

 

She would also be interested in designing movie posters and typography.

 

Nikki has been an animation fan her whole life.

 

“One of my favorites is the Fantastic Mr. Fox (movie) by Wes Anderson,” she said.

 

What about that movie appeals to her?

 

“It’s how the movie is visualized,” she said. “They used stop motion, but not clay. It involved the use of puppetry and the artists worked with different textures. It has a very orange look and feels very fall. Also, George Clooney is lead actor/character voice.”

 

This Dripping Springs native is now the Retail Focus Member of SFFMA – she started in September. Essentially, she oversees the store, both the physical one where people can buy books, boots and clothing along with other merch, and the online store which comprises the bulk of sales.

 

How can her artistic background help with the store? 

 

 

Nikki believes she brings an eye for design that can help in terms of creating new and interesting items for sale, whether that means graphic tees, challenge coins, or branded merch. She may even help design conference t-shirts.

 

She also brings a retail perspective to the table, having worked at Michael’s and H-E-B over the past several years.

 

You may recognize Nikki from several recent SFFMA Store videos we produced.

 

How’s are things going in the SFFMA store?

 

“I’m still learning a lot about the best way to help the store; it’s not just a bookstore or just a merch store,” she said. “I’m getting used to the niche market we serve and navigating the various challenges that come with running a

store.”

 

What does she see happening in store in the near and long-term future?

 

“I’d like to bring our members new merch,” she said. “Maybe some updated items and fresh offerings.”

 

She’s working on ideas for imagery that could be association with the SFFMA store as well.

 

In the short term, Nikki would like to hear directly from our store audience.

 

“I may ask members to provide feedback on items via social media,” she said. “I’d like to know what they would buy versus just what they say they like. Would you plunk down money for an item?”

 

That kind of feedback will be invaluable for helping Nikki shift the direction of the SFFMA Store and create items firefighters, and their loved ones, will buy.

 

In the meantime, if you need books, boots (we sell HAIX), or any of the various other items we sell, visit our online store: www.sffmastore.org. 

Nikki reminds everyone about the current deal with HAIX Airpower XR1 boots; purchase a pair before December 31 and get a free tube of polish!

 

We also have a special on Crackyl Magazine where four print issues are just $20, and $2 will be donated to the SFFMA Institute.

 

“And don’t forget about our commemorative tree ornaments,” Nikki added. “They will add sparkle to your holiday and are part of a new tradition at SFFMA – we will roll out a new design each year.”

Registration is up and running for the TEEX 3^rd First Responder Summit: Electric Vehicles & Stored Energy. Below is the line up for next May’s event – 

• Eddie Murphy – US DOT Surface Transportation (not confirmed) 
• Captain Chris Pfaff – West Pierce County Fire & Rescue 
• Dalan Zartman – Co-founder of the Energy Security Agency, Ohio career firefighter
• Captain Patrick Durham – Troy Michigan FD, PE, founder of StacheD Training 
• Sean DeCrane – IAFF and lead researcher 
• Dr Sean Thompson – toxicologist and Deputy State Fire Marshal – Washington 
• Lance Bullard – TTI’s crash and bash expert

Firefighters recognize that live fire training is where theory meets reality. Sending personnel to a combination Live Fire Instructor and Live Fire Instructor-in-Charge class ensures they not only understand the technical aspects of fire behavior but also learn how to manage training environments safely and effectively. 

 

These classes teach participants to control variables, maintain compliance with NFPA standards, and prioritize safety for every trainee. Without this advanced preparation, even well-intentioned drills can become hazardous, putting both instructors and students at risk.

 

Beyond safety, these courses develop leadership and decision-making skills under pressure. When firefighters train to be instructors and instructors-in-charge, they gain the ability to design realistic scenarios, manage resources, and coordinate teams with precision.

 

This investment creates a ripple effect: better-trained instructors produce better-trained firefighters, which ultimately strengthens operational readiness and public trust. By sending personnel to these classes, the department improves training quality, safeguards lives, and elevates the professionalism of the entire organization.

 

Contact TEEX Public Sector Training for the next available classes or to discuss hosting a class.

 

Submitted by Paul Siebert

Public Sector Program Director
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)

Emergency Service Training Institute (ESTI)

 

 

Episode 1 - Membership Drive

Episode 2 - Certification Changes

Episode 3 - PORTAL (which is our membership management program)

Episode 4 - Marketing Class (learn more about the course on our website.)

Episode 5 - Interview with author (and Battalion Chief) Dena Ali

Episode 6 - Interview with Wendy Norris of the Texas LODD Task Force

Episode 7 - Interview with Tom Merrill, author of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department

Episode 8 - A Chat with Chief Rick Lasky
Episode 9 - Morgan Mill VFD Pie, Cake and Brisket Auction

Episode 10 - Debra Knight, Texas Fire Marshal

Certification Update December 2025:

 

This year has seen some substantial changes to the Certification Program, so let’s recap.

 

In March, written and skill testing started for Driver/Operator-Pumper, Driver/Operator-Aerial, Instructor I, and Instructor II.

 

July saw the introduction of full reciprocity with TCFP. Those who have earned their SFFMA Firefighter II and passed all of their exams within the last two years can lateral over to TCFP without the need to retest.

 

The new Skill Exam interface went live in October streamlining the scheduling and reporting. Step-by-step instructions are on the website HERE.

New Master Firefighters

 

The Certification Board asks that you help congratulate those earning their Master Firefighter certificates during 2025. The following individuals have exhibited a firm commitment to the fire service and the pursuit of knowledge.

 

November 14, 2024 - Emilio Thomas Treviño from Pasadena FD

April 22, 2025 - Joshua Richard Todd from Rockdale FD

May 13, 2025 - James Keith Lewey from Dale VFD

May 30, 2025 - Kevin Rae Jones from Granbury VFD

June 12, 2025 - Dominick Henry Rezza, II from Pasadena FD

August 22, 2025 - Dennis Christopher Dominski from Waskom VFD/EMS

September 10, 2025 - Michael Sean Drachenberg from Smyer VFD

September 18, 2025 - Michael Lee Albert from Wichita West VFD

November 11, 2025 - Marvin McKeith Holmes from DCBE/Acton VFD

 

 

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.)