At a Glance
- Record 350 applications received by the September 15, 2025 deadline
- 17 cadets graduated in December, targeting 100 vacancies
- Rural grant program offers up to $500 k for counties under 10,000 residents
**Why it matters: The surge in applicants and new training programs is poised to fill critical gaps in emergency services across Central and rural Texas.
Austin-Travis County Emergency Services (ATCEMS) announced that it has received a record 350 applications, the highest ever for the agency. Captain Shannon Koesterer said the agency graduated 17 cadets in December, hoping to help fill 100 vacancies in the department.
Record Applications and New Graduates
The record number of applications comes after ATCEMS launched a recruiting ambassador program in 2017 that tours colleges, high schools, and events nationwide. The program aims to attract potential emergency responders to Central Texas.
Key facts:
- 350 applications by the September 15, 2025 deadline
- 17 cadets graduated in December
- Targeting 100 departmental vacancies
Recruiting Push and Rural Demand
Acadian’s Ambulance Director of Public Affairs Butch Oberhoff said:
> ‘They’re high demand, they pay well and you can work pretty much anywhere you want. If you’re a certified EMS professional.’
Butch Oberhoff noted that experienced medics now have opportunities to move into industry or hospitals, offering a “true career path.” He added that the role is a stepping stone to nursing or a physician assistant program and that EMTs are in demand everywhere.
Butch Oberhoff said:
> ‘Over the last few years, we’ve seen experienced medics have opportunities to go work in industry or go work in hospitals.’
> ‘So there is a true career path.’
Butch Oberhoff said:
> ‘It’s a great stepping stone to get into nursing or to get into a physician’s assistance program.’
Butch Oberhoff said:
> ‘There’s a demand for EMTs everywhere.’
Butch Oberhoff said:
> ‘But just like anything else, like doctors and nurses, there’s always a greater demand in the rural areas than in urban areas.’
Butch Oberhoff said:
> ‘The population in unincorporated areas has increased, likely because of the high price-tag of big city living.’
Butch Oberhoff said:
> ‘We are trying to provide an opportunity for people who live in rural areas to have a chance to go through the education, become certified without having to pack up and move their families to get that.’
Butch Oberhoff said:
> ‘We’ve really ramped up our education program.’
Legislative Support and Grants
In June, Texas State legislators passed House Bill 3000, establishing a rural ambulance service grant program. The Texas Comptroller can provide financial assistance to qualified providers serving rural areas. Counties with fewer than 10,000 residents receive up to $500 k, while those with 10,000-68,750 residents receive up to $350 k. Grant applications will open on January 1, 2026. The bill was signed alongside House Bill 18, which supports rural hospitals and health systems partnering with EMS agencies.
| County Population | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| < 10,000 | Up to $500 k |
| 10,000-68,750 | Up to $350 k |
Acadian’s EMT Course and Tuition Options
Acadian Companies is launching its first EMT course in 2026, offering a 60 % discount that brings tuition to $600. Oberhoff said small fees for uniforms and materials will apply. The 12-week hybrid course includes two 4-hour sessions each week, teaching skills such as controlling severe bleeding, airway management, artificial ventilation, infant care, and wound dressing.
Butch Oberhoff said:
> ‘We’ve really ramped up our education program.’
Austin Community College offers several EMS programs. The basic EMT certification costs $510 in tuition for in-district students, with an estimated total of $1,911 after taxes and fees. However, in-district high school seniors or those within three years of high school graduation receive free tuition.
Key Takeaways
- ATCEMS saw a record 350 applications, a historic high.
- 17 cadets graduated, aiming to fill 100 vacancies.
- Texas’s new rural grant program can award up to $500 k for small counties.
The combination of increased recruitment, legislative support, and affordable training is reshaping EMS workforce growth in Texas.
