CEDAR PARK, Texas, 08/14/2026 – VFIS of Texas has once again been recognized as a Best Practices Agency for 2026, earning a place among an exclusive group of independent insurance agencies nationwide.
 
The Best Practices Agency designation is awarded to participants in the Best Practices Study, a comprehensive analysis of the business operations and performance of the insurance industry's top-performing independent agencies.
 
More than 1,190 independent insurance agencies across the United States were nominated during this study cycle. For the 2026 study year, only 300 agencies qualified for and maintained their Best Practices Agency designation.

Since 1993, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) and Reagan Consulting, an Atlanta-based management consulting firm, have partnered to identify and benchmark the nation's leading independent insurance agencies across seven revenue categories.
 
Agencies are selected as Best Practices Agencies every three years through a highly competitive nomination and qualification process. To earn the designation, each agency must rank among the top performers within its respective revenue category.
 
To maintain their Best Practices status throughout the three-year study cycle, participating agencies submit detailed financial and operational information for annual review. The 2026 study year marks the second year of the current three-year cycle.
 
VFIS of Texas is the leading provider of insurance for non-profit emergency service organizations across the state—including volunteer fire departments, ambulance services, and rescue squads. Since becoming the Texas Regional Director for the VFIS program in 1985, we have proudly served the unique needs of firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs with unmatched expertise and dedication.
 
For further information, please reach out at (800) 252-9435 or [email protected].

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Founded in 1993, Reagan Consulting provides M&A advisory, capital raising, valuation, growth consulting, perpetuation planning, and industry research to the nation’s leading insurance brokerages.
 
 
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing approximately 25,000 agency locations. Big “I” members are trusted insurance advisers who offer consumers all types of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products—from a choice of insurance companies. 
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The Rural VFD Insurance Program is a grant program designed to reimburse eligible fire departments for firefighter insurance from private insurance companies. Eligible coverage includes any combination of compensation insurance (workers’ compensation, AD&D, group term life, etc.).
The program currently reimburses 100% of the actual cost of eligible insurance coverage, up to a maximum of $335 per insured firefighter.

Recognized, non-profit volunteer fire departments operated by its members are eligible. Any part-paid/part-volunteer fire department is also eligible if the number of paid members is 20 or fewer. The fire department must be a recognized fire department, located in and operating within a designated primary protection area as assigned by the county. Primary protection areas cannot overlap. The fire department must be in good standing with the State of Texas and the agency.
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Established by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001, the program is funded by a 2% tax on the sale of fireworks.

​Each year at the SFFMA Annual Conference, we have the distinct honor of recognizing the incredible dedication and service of Texas first responders. As proud sponsors of the Firefighter of the Year and EMS Responder of the Year awards, VFIS of Texas is committed to celebrating those who go above and beyond in their departments and communities.

​Captain Kelcey Trotty of Longview was named the 2025 Firefighter of the Year for his unwavering dedication, leadership, and impact within the fire service. Capt. Trotty’s commitment to training, mentoring, and serving his community exemplifies the values this award represents. We were honored to present him with a $3,000 award and a flag flown over the Texas Capitol in recognition of his service.

​The 2025 EMS Responder of the Year award was presented to FF/EMT Sarah Hininger of Hartley, whose professionalism, compassion, and skill have made a lasting impact on both her department and the people she serves. She also received a $3,000 award and Texas Capitol flag in appreciation of her contributions to EMS in Texas.

We also extend congratulations to this year’s runners-up, who each received a $1,000 award from VFIS of Texas:

• Firefighter of the Year Runners-Up: Tommy Chisum and Rey Revilla
• EMS Responder of the Year Runners-Up: Beverly Gracia and Ronold Morton

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Each of these individuals represents the dedication, courage, and compassion that make Texas first responders truly exceptional.

At VFIS of Texas, we are proud to support the fire and EMS community through tailored insurance solutions, risk management services, and a deep commitment to honoring those who protect and serve. It’s our privilege to recognize these outstanding professionals and support the mission of SFFMA year after year.
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Thank you to all who serve—and congratulations again to our 2025 honorees!

As a Fire Department or Emergency Services District (ESD) with paid employees, it's crucial to stay informed about the latest changes in workers’ compensation administration. With the passage of HB471, understanding your responsibilities under Texas workers' compensation laws is more important than ever. This document provides vital information on how to navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation, particularly in light of new rules and regulations outlined in Texas Labor Code 408.003 and relevant administrative codes.
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This guide is designed to help you ensure compliance and avoid practices that could be deemed fraudulent under Texas law. We strongly recommend that you review this information carefully and consult with your legal counsel to fully understand your obligations. Our aim is to equip you with the knowledge needed to manage workers’ compensation claims effectively and in accordance with the law.

VFIS has made some changes to help streamline the teaching processes and ensure that the role of instructing this course remains in capable hands—and we thank you in advance for your cooperation during this transition process.

• Updated curriculum: The updated EVDT materials and Competency Course will address the latest best practices for fire and EMS vehicles, including resource management, alternative fuel, scene safety, UTVs/ATVs, CDL requirements and spotter evaluations. 
• New Instructor Portal: Available through VFIS University, a new online Instructor Portal will allow you to easily access teaching materials and educational content. You'll also enroll your students so they can download course reference materials and print their certificates. Please look for an email in December with details on how to register.
• Eligibility to teach EVDT: Based on when you completed your instructor-level EVDT certification, there will be new curriculum for you to complete in order to be eligible to teach the course. 
  
  
  • If you participated in an instructor-level EVDT/EMSVO course after 2016 OR you took the course prior to 2016 and completed the 2016 update, there will be online curriculum (available through the Instructor Portal) for you to complete by March 31, 2025.
  • If you participated in an instructor-level EVDT/EMSVO course before 2016 and did not complete the 2016 update, you must attend an in-person instructor-level EVDT program with VFIS prior to instructing the course.

• Continuing education (CE): Moving forward, instructors will be assigned annual CE through the Instructor Portal.

We are excited to share that Texas Mutual has unanimously approved a $350 million dividend distribution for 2024. Qualifying policyholders received their dividends this summer.

This year marks the 26th consecutive year that Texas Mutual has rewarded its more than 70,000 policyholders with dividends, bringing the total amount returned to Texas businesses since 1999 to over $4.4 billion.

You can log in to your Texas Mutual Online (TMO) account to check if you are eligible to receive a dividend. 

As a policyholder-owned company, Texas Mutual rewards clients who prioritize safety and choose to do business with them. Dividends are earned through two components: safety, rewarded through the annual component, and loyalty, recognized through the retention component. Newer Texas Mutual policyholders can also earn dividends through the early qualifier program, paid in November. Since 1999, Texas Mutual has returned over $4 billion to Texas businesses.

At VFIS of Texas, we are always proud of the dedication and bravery shown by our first responder clients. Now, we want to showcase your incredible work in our upcoming marketing materials! Whether it's a photo from a recent event, a snapshot of your team in action, or a moment of community engagement, we'd love to feature it. Your photos will help us tell the story of the vital work you do every day.
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How to Submit:

• Share your high-quality photos with us
• Include a brief description of the photo and the names of the individuals featured (if applicable)
• Submit your photos to [email protected]

We can't wait to see the amazing work you're doing! Thank you for allowing us to be part of your mission.

The 2024 SFFMA Conference was a remarkable event filled with informative sessions, engaging activities, and meaningful connections. This year's gathering brought together professionals and volunteers from across the state, all dedicated to advancing fire safety and emergency response.

Highlights from the Conference:

1. Vendor Passport Program: One of the standout features of the conference was the Vendor Passport Program. Attendees had the opportunity to visit each booth, get their passports filled, and enter into a drawing for exciting prizes. This initiative not only encouraged networking but also ensured that participants got the most out of the vendor exhibits.

2. Awards and Recognition: We proudly celebrated the achievements of some special Texas first responders. 

2024 Firefighter of the Year Nominees:
Brandi Clausen, Dalhart VFD
Frank Servais, Friberg-Cooper VFD
Andy Dexter, Klein FD
Winner: Andy Dexter, Klein FD/Tri-Rivers District

2024 EMS Responder of the Year Nominees:
Larry Swartz, Edgecliff FD/North Texas District
Taryn Riden, Potosi VFD
Sarah Hininger, Dalhart VFD
Winner: Larry Swartz, Edgecliff FD/North Texas District

3. Informative Sessions and Workshops: The conference featured a variety of sessions and workshops that covered a wide range of topics relevant to fire safety and emergency response. These sessions provided valuable insights and practical knowledge that attendees can apply in their respective fields.

4. Networking Opportunities: Participants had ample opportunities to network with peers, vendors, and industry leaders. The interactions and exchanges of ideas during the conference helped strengthen the fire service community and fostered collaborative efforts for future advancements.

5. Firefighter of the Year and EMS Responder of the Year Awards Breakfast: The awards breakfast was a heartwarming event where we honored past recipients of the Firefighter of the Year and EMS Responder of the Year Awards and current nominees. It was a moment to acknowledge the dedication and bravery of our members who go above and beyond in their service.

6. 'Best Booth Space' Award: We are thrilled to announce that we received the 'Best Booth Space' award at this year’s conference! Our booth stood out for its engaging setup, informative displays, and our new putting green. Thank you to everyone who visited and made our booth such a success.

We can’t wait to see you all at the next SFFMA Conference!