The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) announced today that the application period has opened to join the next graduating class of The Texas Emergency Management Academy.
The fourth cadet class of The Academy begins Fall 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, with graduation scheduled for Spring 2026. This one-of-a-kind emergency management academy, aimed at training the next generation of emergency management workforce will help to ensure they're future success and provide continued service to fellow Texans.
The eight-month curriculum includes approximately 1,400 hours of training, which comprehensively prepares graduates in all four phases of emergency management: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
“As we continue our efforts to protect life and property in our vast state, it has never been more important for TDEM to train future generations of emergency management professionals,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “We are ecstatic to begin the fourth recruitment of cadets to join The Academy, becoming the emergency management leaders of tomorrow. This unique, hands-on opportunity lays groundwork for continued professional development and training in disaster and emergency services as we continue to combat the hazards Texas communities face.”
The Academy, which has expanded enrollment to provide opportunities for local officials, has made seats available for local emergency management and private sector personnel with emergency management roles in Texas.
Successful graduates of The Academy establish thorough knowledge of Texas emergency management law, planning, disaster finance, resource staging, incident management, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) organization and procedures, hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, resource requests, operations technology, volunteer management, public information, private sector partnerships, and other key aspects of emergency management. Graduates earn multiple nationally recognized emergency management certifications, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Professional Development Series (PDS), FEMA's Advanced Professional Series (APS), FEMA’s Continuity Excellence Series Level I Professional Continuity Practitioner program, and the National Emergency Management Basic Academy (NEMBA). Graduates also leave The Academy as certified basic emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and will achieve National Registry Certification upon successful completion.
Many of the course instructors are nationally renowned experts, authorities from institutions of higher education, and include TDEM subject matter experts.
“We’re looking forward to finding the next group of extraordinary candidates for our fourth cohort of emergency management professionals,” said Training Division Chief Kade Long, who leads The Academy’s development and curriculum. “This comprehensive training will guide cadets through emergency management careers utilizing robust instruction and hands-on learning."
The Inaugural class of The Academy graduated in Spring 2023. The current cadet class will graduate in Spring 2025.
Interested applicants are encouraged to visit tdem.texas.gov/academy to learn more and apply.
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