The Texas Division of Emergency Management announced this month that applications are now open for the sixth cadet class of the Texas Emergency Management Academy, an intensive workforce training program designed to prepare the next generation of emergency management professionals.
Cadet Class 6 will begin its eight-month program in August in Fort Worth, with graduation scheduled for spring 2027.
Operated by TDEM, the academy is billed as the first program of its kind in the nation and provides comprehensive training across all phases of emergency management, including preparedness, response, recovery and hazard mitigation.
“Texas depends on a highly trained, highly capable emergency management workforce, and the academy continues to build exactly that,” Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said in a statement. “Each new cadet class brings fresh talent and strengthens our capabilities as a state.”
This year, TDEM is emphasizing recruitment from local and state government agencies, including county emergency management offices, municipal departments, public health entities, regional councils of government and state-level emergency response partners.
TDEM Training Division Chief Kade Long said the program offers handson experience and professional development for those seeking a career in emergency management.
“The academy provides the skills, experience and confidence needed to support communities before, during and after disasters,” Long said. “We encourage motivated applicants from across Texas, the nation and the world to apply.”
The academy offers approximately 1,300 to 1,400 hours of training.
Since its inception, hundreds of applicants from across the United States and internationally have applied, with graduates now serving in emergency management roles throughout Texas and beyond.
Graduates receive instruction in Texas emergency management law, disaster planning and finance, incident management, Emergency Operations Center response, hazard mitigation, risk assessment, disaster recovery, operations technology, volunteer management, wildland firefighting, public information and private-sector coordination, among other areas.
Cadets also complete nationally recognized certifications, including the FEMA Professional Development Series, Level I Professional Continuity Practitioner and the National Emergency Management Basic Academy.
In addition, graduates leave the program as certified basic emergency medical technicians and achieve National Registry certification upon completion.
The curriculum includes classroom instruction, field exercises, scenario-based training and the use of advanced emergency management technology led by subject matter experts.
More information and application instructions are available at tdem.texas.gov/ academy.
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