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.

View Past Academies

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

Upcoming Fire Chief Academy Dates

Fall 2026 – San Marcos, TX

Monday, October 12 – Friday, October 16

Spring 2027 – Fort Worth, TX

Monday, June 14 – Friday, June 18


2026 Fall Academy – San Marcos, TX

Event Details

Monday, October 12 – Friday, October 16
Each class is limited to 75 attendees.

Location

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel Conference Center
1001 E. McCarty Lane
San Marcos, TX 78666

Agenda

  • Sunday, October 11
    • 5:00 – 6:00 pm | Registration and Check-In
  • Monday, October 12 – Thursday, October 16
    • 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | Required Academy Presentations
  • Friday, October 16
    • 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

  • July 31 - Year 1 Topics Due
  • August 31 – Year 1 Research Paper Due
  • August 31 – Year 2 Budget Request Justification Due
  • September 14 – Year 2 Powerpoint Presentations Due
  • September 14 – Cancellation Policy in Effect (see below)
  • September 21 - Deadline to book hotel room (based on availability)

Registration Details

The 2026 Fall Fire Chief Academy application is now open. 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./p>

Registration Fee

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

Register Today

Hotel Information

TFCA has secured a limited room block at the Embassy Suites San Marcos for $204/night. These rooms can be reserved on a first come, first served bases and we recommend you book right away. The deadline to book a room is Monday, September 21, 2026.

Book Hotel Online

Sponsorship Opportunities

The 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities are now open.

View Available Sponsorships

Thank you to our sponsors!

Gold Sponsors

Martinez Architects Logo Tarleton State University   Logo    


Attendee Cancellation Policy

A full refund will be given for written requests received before September 14, 2026. A 50% refund will be issued for written requests received between September 14 – September 20, 2026. No refunds will be issued beginning September 21, 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.