01/02/2026
As we step into 2026, we want to take a moment to reflect on everything that 2025 brought to Austin County EMS.
This past year was nothing short of transformational. ACEMS experienced exponential growth, not only in numbers, but in capability, culture, and connection. We strengthened our team, expanded our reach, and continued evolving as an EMS agency deeply committed to excellence in patient care.
As we look ahead, our goals remain clear and intentional:
🚑 Continued advanced and realistic training
🚑 Investment in new equipment and technology
🚑 Updated clinical care guidelines rooted in current, evidence-based medicine
🚑 Catapulting ACEMS into a new era as we strive to be the best rural EMS department in Texas
Over the last year, we gained new employees, new friends, new family members, and new partnerships. Each connection helps move us closer to our mission of delivering the highest level of care to the community we proudly serve.
🎄 ACEMS Christmas Party & Awards Night 🎄
As part of closing out the year, we came together as a team to celebrate and recognize the individuals who exemplified dedication, leadership, mentorship, and heart throughout 2025.
🎖 Years of Dedicated Service Milestones
Honoring those whose long-standing service continues to shape ACEMS:
• 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 – 25+ Years of Service (nearly 28 years)
📊 Statistical Awards (Data-Driven Recognition)
Recognizing standout performance based on operational data:
• Most Calls Ran – In Charge Paramedic Matt Hinds (417 Calls)
• Most Patient Transports – FTO/In Charge Paramedic Naftali Krauss (234 Patient Transports)
• Fastest Time to Complete Reports – FTO/In Charge Paramedic Naftali Krauss (66 percent of reports completed in under 2 hours)
• “Coming in Hot” – 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
(2 hours and 25 minutes of sitting on the wall at a hospital waiting for a bed to open up. Not ideal, but yes, we still care for these patients in these times.)
🌟 Service & Leadership Awards
Recognizing excellence beyond the numbers:
• Sunshine Award
For always bringing positivity and light to coworkers and patients, regardless of the day or situation.
🏅 Attendant EMT Ryan Rinn
• Clinician of the Year
For exemplifying the highest standards of prehospital care, clinical excellence, and dedication to patient outcomes.
🏅 Attendant AEMT Chloe Levay
• Attendant of the Year
🏅 Attendant EMT John Stanford
• In Charge of the Year
🏅 In Charge Paramedic Matt Hinds
🏅 In Charge Paramedic Daniel “D.O.” Owens
• Mentorship Award
For exceptional commitment to teaching, coaching, and developing fellow clinicians.
🏅 FTO/In Charge Paramedic Cole Taylor
• The Eagle Award
For going above and beyond in support of the service and coworkers in every aspect.
🏅 In Charge Paramedic Jerry “JJ” Bautista
• The Chief’s Award
Presented to individuals who were absolutely invaluable to ACEMS this year. Without them, the service simply would not function the same.
🏅 Department Coordinator EMT Tammy Wendel
🏅 Assistant Department Coordinator EMT Candi Havemann
🏅 Logistics Coordinator / Captain Paramedic Brett Coghlan
🚨 Looking Ahead 🚨
We are also excited to announce that ACEMS has selected a new Clinical Manager, who will be starting soon. We are incredibly enthusiastic about this addition to our leadership team and look forward to working together to advance our clinical vision and continue improving patient outcomes across our system.
💙 A Heartfelt Thank You 💙
None of this would be possible without the overwhelming support of our community. We extend our deepest gratitude to our generous sponsors who helped make our Christmas party possible, as well as to those who donated throughout the year to support departmental improvements.
We would also like to sincerely thank our Austin County Judge and Commissioners for their continued support of Austin County EMS. Their commitment to public safety and their trust in our mission allow us to grow, adapt, and improve every single day, ensuring we can continue raising the standard of care for our community.
To everyone who supported our crews in any way throughout the year, thank you. Whether you dropped off food or treats, sent cards or letters, paid for a crew’s meal while they were out on a call, stopped by a station to chat, called our office to share kind words, or simply showed appreciation, please know this:
Every gesture matters.
Your kindness lifts our crews, motivates even the quietest team member, and reminds us why we do what we do every single day. Austin County truly is home to one of the kindest, most caring, and most passionate communities we could ever ask for.
🥂 Here’s to 2026
A year of growth, progress, and continued commitment to providing a gold standard of care to our caring citizens.
- Austin County EMS 🚑💙
