Texas Fire Chiefs Academy

Texas Fire Chiefs Academy is a comprehensive training opportunity for current fire chiefs and those who aspire to be fire chiefs. After completing Year 2 training, you’ll earn your Certified Fire Executive “CFE” professional designation. Years 1 & 2 are available at both spring and fall academies.

Attend one or both of the upcoming Texas Fire Chiefs Academies. This Academy is quickly becoming a desired/required credential for fire chief positions throughout the state, as seen in several recent job postings. Your department may qualify for up to $575 of funding that could go toward tuition! Review the Texas Forest Service Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program guidelines. Current chiefs and executive officers are especially encouraged to attend. Graduates of the Academy receive the Certified Fire Executive or CFE professional designation.

Fire Chief Shawn Snider – Texas Fire Chief Academy Memorial Scholarship

The Fire Chief Shawn Snider – Texas Fire Chief Academy Memorial Scholarship is available to assist eligible applicants attend the Texas Fire Chief Academy and Battalion Chiefs Academy. For full details and to apply, please click the link below. 

More Information

2026 Fire Chief Academy Dates

Spring – Fort Worth, TX

Monday, June 1 – Friday, June 5

Fall – San Marcos, TX

Monday, October 12 – Friday, October 16

2026 Spring Academy – Fort Worth, TX

Event Details

Monday, June 1 – Friday, June 5
Each class is limited to 75 attendees.

Location

Marriott Hotel and Golf Club at Champions Circle
3300 Championship Parkway
Fort Worth, TX 76177

Agenda

• Sunday, May 31
  • 5:00 – 6:00 pm | Registration and Check-In
• Monday, June 1 – Thursday, June 4
  • 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | Required Academy Presentations
• Friday, June 5
  • 8:00 am – 11:30 am | Required Academy Presentations and Graduation

Full conference agenda coming soon.

TFCA will provide breakfast Monday – Friday of the Academy and lunch Monday – Thursday of the Academy. Dinner is on your own each night.

Important Dates

• January 29 – Registration Opens
• February 27 – Registration Closes
• March - Early April - Notify Waitlist if Spots Available
• March 20 - Year 1 Topics Due
• April 10 – Year 1 Papers Due and Year 2 Project Due
• May 1 – Cancellation Policy in Effect (see below)
• May 1 – Year 2 Presentations Due
• May 11 - Deadline to book hotel room (based on availability)

Registration Details

The 2026 Spring Fire Chief Academy application will open Thursday, January 29 at 10:00 am. Due to assignment deadlines, we will only allow registrations for a short window of time. Please see the important dates before registering. Failure to meet deadlines will result in your registration for the class being cancelled.

TFCA prioritizes Fire Chief Academy registrations for those ranked at Captain or higher. Applications received from those ranked below captain will be moved to the waitlist automatically and will be notified if accepted in mid-March 2026.

Registration Fee

Members - $1,250 (must sign in)
Non-Members - $1,350

Hotel Information

TFCA has secured a limited room block at a discounted rate of $157/night the Marriott Champion Circle. These rooms are available on a first come, first served basis and will be available to book when registration is open on Thursday, January 29 at 10:00 am.

Marriott Hotel and Golf Club at Champions Circle
3300 Championship Parkway
Fort Worth, TX 76177

Must book by May 11, 2025.

Sponsorship Opportunities

The 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities will open on Thursday, January 29 at 10:00 am.

View Available Sponsorships

Attendee Cancellation Policy

A full refund will be given for written requests received on or before May 1, 2026. A 50% refund will be issued for written requests received between May 2 – May 10, 2026. No refunds will be issued beginning May 11, 2026. Cancellations must be received in writing from the original registrant to [email protected]. No cancellations will be taken by phone.

Registrants who do not attend the Academy and/or do not contact TFCA via written correspondence during the set window as directed above will be responsible for the full attendee registration fee.

Attending the Fire Chief Academy requires prework. Your registration may be subject to cancellation without refund if the requirements are not received before the Academy deadlines. It is expected that you communicate with Ken Prillaman, [email protected], if you have any concerns about the deadlines.

Attendee Substitution Policy

Due to the pre-work required for the Fire Chief Academy, no substitutions will be taken.

Sponsorship Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. No cancellations will be accepted over the phone. Cancellations are effective on the date written notification is received by TFCA. To qualify for a full refund, cancellations must be received one month before the event’s start date. A fifty percent (50%) refund will be given for cancellations received three weeks before the event’s start date. Sponsors canceling after three weeks before the event start date, will be responsible for (100%) payment in full.

Sponsors that do not provide written notification of cancellation and do not participate in the event will be responsible for payment in full and may jeopardize the right to sponsor at future events.