The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has celebrated the graduation of its third class of cadets from the Texas Emergency Management Academy. The ceremony took place at the Texas Capitol in Austin. During the event, Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd addressed the audience, congratulating the 23 new graduates.
“Texans count on strong, compassionate leadership in times of need,” said Chief Kidd. “I’m proud of these driven individuals for committing themselves to the rigorous training, education, and skills offered through this world-class program.” He further emphasized the importance of their role in assisting people during challenging times.
Remarkable participation from notable figures included Texas Commission on Fire Protection Chief Mike Wisko, who also spoke to the graduates, and Academy leadership delivering their remarks. The Texas Emergency Management Academy is noted for being the first program of its kind in the US, designed to train the forthcoming professionals in emergency management, covering all phases such as preparedness, response, recovery, and hazard mitigation.
John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, expressed pride in the cadets' achievements, saying, "I am proud that these cadets were able to complete this one-of-a-kind program, and I look forward to their future success in the emergency management profession." He acknowledged the valuable contribution of subject matter experts from the Texas A&M University System in instructing and mentoring this generation of emergency managers.
Throughout the eight-month program, the cadets received comprehensive training from nearly 100 experts in various critical areas of emergency management. The curriculum included emergency management planning, disaster finance, wildland firefighting, and more. Additionally, graduates earned nationally recognized certifications, including FEMA’s Professional Development Series, and achieved National Registry Certification as basic emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
The Academy's instruction resources, many affiliated with Texas A&M System agencies, were based at Texas A&M University–San Antonio, with future cohorts expected to be based in Fort Worth. For those interested in upcoming Texas Emergency Management Academy cadet classes, more information is available at tdem.texas.gov/academy.
---
