Temple College Strengthens Texas EMS Workforce, Earns State’s Top Education Award
In communities across the nation, emergency medical services professionals are often the first to arrive on someone’s worst day. They make split-second decisions, provide lifesaving care and offer reassurance to families in crisis. And this happens before a patient ever reaches a hospital.
Preparing professionals for that responsibility requires more than textbooks and technical skills. It demands rigorous training, real-world experience and a deep commitment to compassionate care.
That commitment is why Temple College’s Emergency Medical Services program was named the 2025 EMS Education Program of the Year by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Jeff Fritz, Temple College’s Dean of Health Professions I, said the recognition reflects years of intentional focus on instructional quality and student success.
“This recognition affirms the hard work, commitment and dedication our faculty demonstrate daily in the classroom, lab and clinical learning environments,” Fritz said. “It affirms our collective commitment to excellence in instruction and student success and validates the high standards we set for our programs.”
The award ceremony took place in Fort Worth in November.
Training beyond the textbook
Temple College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services as well as EMS certificates and occupational skills awards in the following areas:
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Paramedic and
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
Temple College’s EMS program emphasizes active learning, critical thinking and real-world clinical decision-making rather than rote memorization of algorithms. Students train in high-fidelity simulation and scenario-based labs designed to mirror unpredictable field conditions.
During simulations, students function as a team, rotate leadership roles and participate in structured debriefings to evaluate performance and improve communication. The goal, Fritz said, is to develop reflective practitioners who continue improving long after graduation.
“We also place strong emphasis on professional behaviors — time management, accountability, communication and teamwork — which are as critical to patient outcomes as technical skills,” Fritz said.
Temple College currently has approximately 45 students training to be EMTs and 15 students in the paramedic program.
Real-world partnerships, real impact
In addition to classroom and lab training, students gain hands-on experience through hospital and EMS system partnerships that provide exposure to high-acuity patients and real emergencies. Preceptors coach and mentor students, helping them translate theory into practice.
For students, the award reinforces that they are receiving an education that meets the highest standards of EMS training.
“They work hard to master the knowledge, skills and attitudes required in both class and clinical settings,” Fritz said. “This award reflects their hard work and commitment to quality patient care.”
A community investment
Fritz credits the honor to a dedicated team of faculty and staff, as well as strong institutional and community support.
“Our success is truly the result of a dedicated team of experienced EMS professionals who are deeply invested in student success,” he said. “Faculty go beyond the classroom by providing career guidance, remediation when needed and personal support to help students navigate the challenges of pre-hospital emergency medicine education.”
For Fritz, the impact is personal.
“When our students graduate, it is personal,” he said. “My family has been cared for by one of our graduates. I was relieved to hear that when he arrived, he not only provided care to the patient but also to the family. This is what motivates me.”
As Texas communities continue to rely on highly trained first responders, Temple College’s recognition as EMS Education Program of the Year underscores the vital role strong educational programs play in strengthening the state’s emergency response workforce.
ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE
Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto, Taylor and Rockdale, offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for a century. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premier institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.