Texas Department of Insurance

State Fire Marshal's Office

News and Announcements

• The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been awarded $566,500 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters, Fire Prevention and Safety Grant. The SFMO will use the award to educate Texas university students about fire safety, escape planning, and life saving, in part, by expanding its existing Have an Exit Strategy program to all public university campuses in the state.

• The 11th Annual Texas Fire Marshals' Conference will take place in Austin October 19-23, 2009. The theme is "Don't Gamble with Fire Prevention." Speaker information, schedule information, attendee registration form, vendor registration form and  information for prospective vendors and sponsors are now available.

• Fire Prevention Week 2009 is October 4-10. This year's national theme is "Stay fire smart, don't get burned." The NFPA is offering a sample proclamation and sample press release that can be tailored for your community's use.

• Because of the threat of extreme fire hazard as a result of an ongoing drought across much of Texas, Governor Rick Perry has urged President Obama to declare an emergency for the State of Texas, requesting Direct Federal Assistance under Emergency Protective Measures of FEMA's Public Assistance program.

• The 2009 Hurricane Season started June 1. If a hurricane comes your way, the State Fire Marshal's Office offers some fire safety tips on what to do before evacuating and upon your return to stay alive and safe.

• Kidde Portable Equipment, in Cooperation with The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms Due to Failure to Warn of a Fire.

• As part of the "We're out to Alarm Texas" campaign sponsored in part by the State Fire Marshal's Office, free smoke alarms (300 for each city) have recently been made available to elderly and low-income residents of Amarillo and Longview.

• Pasadena Fire Marshal David Brannon and Arson Investigator Debbie Taylor have received a statewide award from the Texas Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators for juvenile firesetter intervention work.

• Governor Rick Perry has issued a new proclamation certifying that an extreme fire hazard poses a threat of imminent disaster in 167 counties.

• At the International Code Council (ICC) final action hearings in Minneapolis, the proposal to change the International Residential Code to require residential fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family dwellings passed with a strong majority. Read the story.

• Kidde Portable Equipment, in Cooperation with The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls to Replace Kidde XL Fire Extinguishers Due to Failure to Operate.

• "Itzagascan" - temporary gas cans - are not approved by the State's Fire Marshal Office for public use. Please read this letter for more information.

• State Agency and University Fires Reported in FY 2009

• Wildfire Safety Alert - Much of Texas is in danger of wildfires. The Texas Forest Service has issued a safety message explaining the hazards and risks in fighting wildland fires.

• Clow Valve Company Safety Notice

• Commissioner's Bulletin No. B-0046-07 - TO: ALL FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS AND FIRE INSPECTION OFFICIALS, RE: Fire Inspection of Foster Care Facilities.

• Texas Launches Lifesaving Training Program Developed by National Fallen Firefighters Foundation - The State Fire Marshal wants to inform Texas fire departments how they can help prevent firefighter line-of-duty deaths with the Courage To Be Safe program.

• School Fire Exit Drill Report Forms - Required fire drill and fire prevention education forms available for download. 2009-2010 form

• Take the Seat Belt Pledge
  Five of the 26 firefighter fatalities investigated by the SFMO since September 2001 involved victims who were not using seat belts or similar restraining devices. All but one of these deaths were probably preventable, had a seat belt or restraining device been used. The simple act of fastening a seat belt vastly improves survivability in a collision. Every fire department should take the seat belt pledge. Read more about the pledge.

• Fire Safety Education Resources for Educators and Fire Safety Professionals to promote fire-safe awareness among young people.

• Free membership in the Quick Response Media Corps to help local fire departments get fire safety facts in local news media. Sign up for USFA Help or e-mail for enrollment form.

• Texas Forest Service Helping Hands Program - Accepts and donates surplus fire and emergency equipment to volunteeer fire departments. More

• All SFMO publications and brochures

• U.S. Fire Administration

• U.S. Fire Administration Kids Page

 Last updated: 10/02/2009
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