Austin-Travis County Emergency Services said theyโve seen more interest from potential candidates than ever before. Captain Shannon Koesterer said ATCEMS received 350 applications by their September 15, 2025 deadline, the largest amount of applications in the agencyโs history. Koesterer said ATCEMS graduated 17 cadets in December, hoping to help fill the 100 vacancies in the department. She largely attributes the growth to their recruiting efforts the last few years.
In 2017, ATCEMS established a recruiting ambassador program to reach applicants across the nation. The team goes to colleges, high schools and other recruiting events to attract potential emergency responders to Central Texas.
โTheyโre high demand, they pay well and you can work pretty much anywhere you want, said Acadianโs Ambulance Director of Public Affairs Butch Oberhoff. โIf youโre a certified EMS professional.โ
Also looking for potential EMTโs, Acadian Companies, a private ambulance and air med company that services 32 counties in Texas. โOver the last few years, weโve seen experienced medics have opportunities to go work in industry or go work in hospitals,โ Oberhoff said. โSo there is a true career path.โ
