| April 26, 2024 AUSTIN – The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) today celebrated the graduation of the second cadet class of the Texas Emergency Management Academy at the Texas Capitol in Austin. During a graduation ceremony held in the Capitol auditorium, Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd congratulated the 23 cadets for accomplishing the emergency management workforce development program. “When disaster strikes, Texans rely on servant leaders to provide support during those greatest times of need, and I am grateful that this group will join the ranks of emergency management professionals capable of offering that support,” said Chief Kidd. “I am proud of the training, education, skills, and knowledge that this group has cultivated in this intensive, one-of-a-kind program.” “I thank these motivated individuals for their dedication and I look forward to working alongside in support of the communities we serve,” Chief Kidd added. Chief Kidd was joined by The Texas A&M University System Deputy Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Billy Hamilton, Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Administrator Tony Robinson, and State Senator Kevin Sparks. “When my Senate district experienced the largest wildfire in state history, my constituents relied on the support of emergency management professionals to aid in response and recovery efforts,” said Senator Sparks. “The Academy offers a training opportunity that will help communities across Texas better prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate future disasters.” The Texas Emergency Management Academy, a first-of-its-kind program in the nation operated by TDEM, comprehensively trains the next generation of the emergency management workforce in all phases of emergency management including preparedness, response, recovery, and hazard mitigation. “I am proud of these cadets for completing this unique program and look forward to their future success in emergency management-related fields,” said Deputy Chancellor Hamilton. “Additionally, The Texas A&M University System was pleased to make subject matter experts available to help train the next generation of the emergency management workforce.” Successful graduates of the eight-month Texas Emergency Management Academy ascertain basic knowledge of emergency management planning, disaster finance, wildland firefighting, ambulance staging, Emergency Operations Center response management, hazard mitigation, risk assessments, disaster recovery, resource requests, operations technology, volunteer management, private sector partnerships, and other key aspects of emergency management. Academy graduates earn multiple nationally-recognized emergency management certifications, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Professional Development Series, FEMA’s Advanced Professional Series, FEMA’s Continuity Excellence Series Level I Professional Continuity Practitioner program, and the National Emergency Management Basic Academy. Graduates also leave The Academy as certified basic emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and achieved National Registry Certification upon successful completion. More than 100 different subject matter experts provided in-depth, hands-on, and classroom training during the various courses, implementing innovative emergency management technology tools and informational lectures to equip cadets with an advanced emergency management education. Leveraging the capability of The Texas A&M University System, the first two cohort of The Academy was based out of Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Many of the course instructors are affiliated with The Texas A&M University System, including Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and TDEM. Additional information about future Academy cadet classes is available at tdem.texas.gov/academy. 
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