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FIRE DEPARTMENT

Texas A&M Forest Service

Protecting Texas from wildfire since 1915

College Station, Texas
Est. 1915
TA
526Personnel
0Stations
$0Starting Pay
5,187Calls / Year

About the Department

The Texas A&M Forest Service is the state's lead agency for wildland fire response and forest conservation, operating from a College Station headquarters and 59 regional offices across Texas. In 2024, the agency deployed 526 personnel to fight 5,187 wildfires burning 1.3 million acres, saving 4,444 structures worth $569.2 million. As part of the Texas A&M University System, TFS also manages forest stewardship programs, seedling production (245.8 million seedlings in 2024), and has trained 72,695 firefighters through local department grants.

Capabilities

Specialties & Capabilities

12 specialized units across 4 divisions

Operations

Full-service fire and EMS, all personnel are paramedics beyond probationary year

3
Wildland Fire Suppression
Prescribed Fire Operations
Dozer Operations

Technical Rescue

Specialized rescue in extreme environments

3
Incident Management Teams
All-Risk Response
Fire Weather Forecasting

Prevention & Investigation

Fire prevention, investigation, and public safety partnerships

3
Forest Stewardship
Fire Prevention
Community Wildfire Protection Plans

Support & Community

Community engagement, education, and member wellness

3
Seedling Production
Capacity Building Grants
Firefighter Training
12 total specializations

Compensation

Entry Salary$0
Top Step (7 yrs)$0
Overtime

Variable schedule based on incident deployment and seasonal activity

Promotional & Incentive Pay

Deployment pay during wildfire incidents
State employee benefits through Texas A&M System
Pay plans increased above legislative mandates

Benefits Package

Health Insurance

Medical, dental, and vision through Texas A&M University System

Defined Benefit Pension

Texas A&M System defined benefit plan with lifetime annuity. Eligible at age 55 + 5 years, Rule-of-80, or 30 years service (3 with A&M)

Life Insurance

Employer-provided life insurance and flexible spending accounts

Variable Schedule

Incident-based and seasonal deployment schedule with standard office hours during non-fire season

Eligibility Requirements

Education2-year natural resources technical degree preferred; high school diploma minimum
CertificationsNWCG Red Card required; FFT-1, TPL-1, and Dozer Operator certifications preferred; TCFP or SFFMA Basic Firefighter preferred
Fitness2-mile walk carrying 25-pound pack in 30 minutes or less; must be maintained annually
Driver's LicenseValid Texas driver's license required

Education & Training

Wildfire Training

NWCG-standard training through partnerships with Texas fire departments; specialized wildland certifications

Capacity Building

Grants and training programs that have trained 72,695 Texas firefighters

Incident Management

State-level Incident Management Team training for complex wildfire operations

Community

Life in College Station, Texas

128,023Population
$335,000Median Home
88COL Index

Why College Station

Home to Texas A&M University — one of the largest universities in the U.S.
College town atmosphere with affordable cost of living (16% below national average)
59 regional offices provide coverage across the entire state of Texas
Strong Aggie culture with world-class research facilities
Bryan-College Station metro offers small-city quality of life
Gateway to East Texas forests and Gulf Coast recreational areas

Accreditations & Recognition

NWCG Compliance
State Lead Agency for Wildfire Response
Get Started

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