On March 7th, Austin County Emergency Medical Services (ACEMS) conducted its in-house Lieutenant Testing, a critical process in selecting the most qualified leaders for the team. This rigorous evaluation ensures that the agency continues to uphold its commitment to excellence in emergency medical care.
Lieutenant Testing is a structured evaluation process designed to assess candidates’ leadership abilities, decision-making skills, and technical knowledge. The process typically includes several components:
- Written Exam โ A test covering medical protocols, emergency procedures, leadership principles, and agency policies.
- Practical Skills Assessment โ Candidates are tested on real-world EMS scenarios, requiring them to demonstrate clinical expertise and problem-solving under pressure.
- Oral Board Interview โ A panel of evaluators, often including leadership from inside and outside the agency, asks scenario-based and leadership-focused questions.
- Incident Command Simulation โ Candidates are placed in simulated emergency situations where they must manage resources, make critical decisions, and coordinate response efforts.
- Leadership and Management Evaluation โ This may include reviewing candidates’ past performance, leadership experience, and ability to work with teams effectively.
To guarantee a fair and unbiased assessment, ACEMS invited leadership from neighboring agencies to participate in scoring and evaluating candidates alongside its own leadership team. The collaboration brought experienced officers from Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD), Fayette County Emergency Medical Services (FCEMS), and City of Wharton EMS to assist in the process.
ACEMS extends its deepest gratitude to these agencies for their invaluable support. Their involvement helps maintain the high standards set by ACEMS and reinforces the agencyโs mission of becoming the premier rural EMS provider in Texas. The leadership team involved in the evaluation process included:
- Jason Gutierrez, MCHD First Responder Coordinator
- Gary Daniels, FCEMS Assistant Chief
- Nancy McLevy, City of Wharton EMS Field Supervisor
- Justin Ward, ACEMS Clinical Manager
- Colin Martin, ACEMS A Shift Captain
- Gary Stansbury, ACEMS C Shift Captain
ACEMS remains dedicated to fostering strong leadership within its ranks and appreciates the collaboration of its regional partners in this vital initiative.
