The Clifford Harris Memorial Fund

05/23/2026

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection has officially adopted a statewide requirement for firefighters to complete the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Courage to Be Safe (CTBS) training every five years, an increase from the previous one time requirement.
This landmark move reinforces a culture where firefighter survivability, accountability, and safety remain a continuous priority throughout a firefighter’s career — not just during recruit school.
Approximately 40,000 regulated firefighters across Texas will be impacted by this new standard.
Read more: https://www.firehero.org/2026/05/20/texas-adopts-ctbs/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WNt3jKuSG8

05/18/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Starkey family as well as the Tyler Fire Department as they mourn the loss of one of their own.

05/12/2026

Tonight, the Rusk High School Class of 2026 held their annual scholarship banquet. Chief Harris' family is pleased to announce that the 2026 Clifford Harris Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Mattie Oliver. Mattie will be attending Baylor University this fall to pursue a degree in Medical Humanities. 💚🐻💛

Congratulations, Mattie! We look forward to seeing your accomplishments as you work towards your goals. 🎓❤️🦅

05/03/2026

At this years NFFF Memorial Weekend, 10 firefighters from Texas were honored ❤️

• David P. Greene - Ft Worth FD, LODD 2022

• David Leos - Dallas Fire Rescue, LODD 2021

• Corby Michael McKenzie - South Montgomery Co. FD, LODD 2024

• Jacob W. Owen - Williamson Co ESD #5 Jarrell Fire/Rescue, LODD 2023

• Michael E. Phillips - Marble Falls Area FD, LODD 2025

• William Alan “Bill” Pollard - Hitchcock VFD, LODD 2021

• Michael Reedy - Roanoke FD, LODD 2025

• Stephen D. Scott - Houston FD, LODD 2025

• Shawn Michael Snider - Edinburg FD, LODD 2023

• Eddy W. Wood - Saginaw FD, LODD 2021

04/08/2026

PLEASE HELP!

Good morning, as you may know the NFFF Memorial Weekend may look a little different this year if the National Fire Academy remains closed. The NFFF is partnering with the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) on a Voter Voice campaign urging Congress and the Administration to reopen the National Fire Academy for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. You can help by taking a moment and click on the link, fill in your information and your 'why' to help in the efforts to get campus reopened.

Here is the link to the campaign: (https://www.votervoice.net/NFSA/Campaigns/136246/Respond).

The NFFF Memorial Weekend changes the trajectory of the grieving journey for every family. I watch families walk in, broken, hopeless, and numb. While they are on campus for the weekend they get to meet other families who are on a similar journey. They can truly open their hearts with each other and share their innermost thoughts, heartbreak, and pain because the listener knows EXACTLY what they are feeling. Families connect, life long friendships are born, and hearts begin to heal as they take steps along the Walk of Honor, enter the memorial monument, and run their fingers across their loved ones name that embossed on a bronze plaque.

The Fire Hero Families deserve the opportunity to begin their healing journey here.

Send a message to learn more