As 2026 begins, Austin County EMS is taking a moment to reflect on a year that proved to be truly transformational.
The past year marked a period of significant growth for the department—not only in staffing numbers, but in capability, culture, and community connection. Throughout 2025, Austin County EMS strengthened its team, expanded its reach, and continued evolving as an agency firmly committed to excellence in patient care and service to the community.
Looking ahead, leadership says the focus remains clear and intentional. Goals for 2026 include continued advanced and realistic training, investment in new equipment and technology, updated clinical care guidelines rooted in current evidence-based medicine, and a determined push to position Austin County EMS as the premier rural EMS department in Texas.
Over the past year, the department gained new employees, new partnerships, and new members of what many describe as the ACEMS family. Each connection brought the organization closer to its mission of delivering the highest level of care to the residents it proudly serves.
Celebrating Service and Achievement
To close out the year, Austin County EMS gathered for its annual Christmas Party and Awards Night, recognizing individuals whose dedication, leadership, and heart stood out throughout 2025.
Years of Dedicated Service Milestones honored team members whose long-standing commitment continues to shape the department:
- B Shift Captain Chris Kalmbach, Paramedic – 5 years of service
- Assistant Chief Rhonda Ritchey, Paramedic – 5 years of service
- Attendant John Stanford, EMT – 10 years of service
- C Shift Captain Gary Stansbury, Paramedic – 10 years of service
- Austin County Judge Tim Lapham, EMT – More than 25 years of service, nearing 28 years
Statistical Awards highlighted exceptional performance through data-driven recognition:
- Most Calls Ran: In-Charge Paramedic Matt Hinds (417 calls)
- Most Patient Transports: FTO/In-Charge Paramedic Naftali Krauss (234 transports)
- Fastest Time to Complete Reports: FTO/In-Charge Paramedic Naftali Krauss, with 66 percent of reports completed in under two hours
- “Coming in Hot” Award for Most Emergency Transports: In-Charge Paramedic Matt Hinds (23 emergency transports with lights and sirens)
- Most Refusals Obtained: In-Charge Paramedic Matt Hinds (59 patient refusals)
- “Longest Wall Hugging Time” Decubitus Ulcer Award: In-Charge Paramedic Matt Bryan, recognizing extended hospital wait times while continuing patient care
Service and Leadership Awards recognized excellence beyond the numbers:
- Sunshine Award: Attendant EMT Ryan Rinn, for consistently bringing positivity to coworkers and patients
- Clinician of the Year: Attendant AEMT Chloe Levay, for outstanding clinical care and dedication to patient outcomes
- Attendant of the Year: Attendant EMT John Stanford
- In-Charge of the Year: In-Charge Paramedic Matt Hinds and In-Charge Paramedic Daniel “D.O.” Owens
- Mentorship Award: FTO/In-Charge Paramedic Cole Taylor, for exceptional commitment to teaching and developing fellow clinicians
- Eagle Award: In-Charge Paramedic Jerry “JJ” Bautista, for going above and beyond in support of the service and coworkers
- Chief’s Award: Department Coordinator EMT Tammy Wendel, Assistant Department Coordinator EMT Candi Havemann, and Logistics Coordinator/Captain Paramedic Brett Coghlan, whose contributions were deemed invaluable to the department’s success
Looking Forward
Austin County EMS also announced the selection of a new Clinical Manager, who will be joining the leadership team in the near future. Officials say they are enthusiastic about the addition and confident it will further strengthen the department’s clinical vision and patient outcomes.
Gratitude for a Supportive Community
Department leadership emphasized that none of the year’s achievements would be possible without the continued support of the Austin County community. Special thanks were extended to sponsors who helped make the Christmas party possible, donors who supported departmental improvements throughout the year, and to the Austin County Judge and Commissioners for their ongoing commitment to public safety.
Support from residents—whether through meals for crews, notes of encouragement, station visits, or simple words of appreciation—continues to make a meaningful difference. Each gesture, officials noted, lifts morale and reinforces why the work matters.
Austin County is fortunate to have such an exceptional group of professionals serving its residents. The men and women of Austin County EMS not only provide compassionate, high-quality care to their own community, but they also stand ready to assist neighboring counties and agencies whenever the need arises. Their willingness to step beyond county lines in times of emergency reflects a deep commitment to service, teamwork, and the greater good—values that continue to define Austin County EMS and the people behind it.
As Austin County EMS steps into 2026, the department does so with pride, momentum, and a renewed commitment to providing a gold standard of care for the community it serves.
