Seventy-one new employees started their employment with Bastrop County ESD #3 on Monday.   The new service will begin EMS service in Bastrop County on October 1.   For the next five weeks, staff members will train on new equipment, certify the agency protocols and assist in stocking ambulances, medical kits and preparing stations for Day 1.

Staff members included 29 In-Charge Paramedics, 30 EMT and Paramedic Attendants and 12 Communications Officers.    Each ambulance will be staffed with one In-Charge and one Attendant.   The Communications Officers will answer 911 calls for EMS assistance and dynamically manage the deployment of the ambulances across the county, ensuring more efficient response times.

“The majority of new employees are from the Greater Austin region,” stated Clinical Director Don Rose.   “However, we attracted highly qualified providers from across Texas including Bandera, Fort Worth and Temple.   Three staff members are relocating to Texas from Missouri, Louisiana and New Mexico.”

According to Communications Manager Nichole Kuhlmann, the dispatchers are a mix of seasoned veterans from 911 centers around the region and a few new to the industry.   “We have a detailed training plan designed to bring everyone up to speed for the task ahead.   Our veteran staff will be paired with the newer staff to accelerate their onboarding.”

Residents can expect:

• Rapid, professional response: Trained communications officers at the 911 center will provide pre-arrival medical instruction when callers report emergencies.
• Improved response times: The countywide model is designed to shorten response intervals and increase coverage across Bastrop County.
• Advanced clinical care: Field crews will deliver high-quality, evidence-based emergency care and transport using state-of-the-art equipment and ambulances.
• A team focused on service excellence.