Texas Ambulance Association

08/28/2026

TAA IS WORKING FOR TEXAS EMS 🚑

This week, the Texas Ambulance Association attended the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC), continuing important conversations surrounding the issues facing ambulance providers and emergency medical services across Texas.

TAA also met with fellow EMS stakeholders to discuss potential policy priorities as we prepare for the 90th Texas Legislature in 2027.

These conversations matter. Bringing EMS leaders and stakeholders together now helps identify challenges, develop solutions and ensure the needs of Texas ambulance providers are part of the conversation when lawmakers return to Austin.

TAA will continue to show up, speak up and advocate for the providers who deliver lifesaving care to communities across our state.

A strong voice for Texas EMS.

Pictured below are TAA Board President Charles Hinkle & Brett Coghlan

08/19/2026

THE TEXAS EMS FAMILY STANDS TOGETHER

The Texas Ambulance Association joins the EMS community in surrounding Herstle Renfroe, a longtime first responder with Sacred Cross EMS, following an unimaginable tragedy.

On the evening of Aug. 17, a structure fire in Parker County claimed the lives of Herstle’s wife, Alexis Renfroe, and his two sons, 4-year-old Alekzander Joshua Renfroe and 10-year-old Cody Lock Jr while he was on duty in neighboring Palo Pinto County.

Herstle has dedicated more than a decade to serving others through fire and emergency medical services, including the past eight years with Sacred Cross EMS.

Sacred Cross EMS is led by owner Charles Hinkle, president of the Texas Ambulance Association. Today, TAA stands beside Charles, the Sacred Cross EMS family and first responders throughout Palo Pinto County as they rally around one of their own.

The MWAN Benevolent Fund for First Responders has established a campaign to support Herstle. 100% of the proceeds from this campaign will go to Herstle to assist with burial arrangements for Alexis, Alekzander and Cody, as well as other immediate and ongoing expenses, including finding a new home. He has lost everything.

❤️ DONATE TO SUPPORT HERSTLE:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/mwan-benevolent-fire-fund-for-first-responders

EMS professionals spend their careers answering the call for people experiencing their worst days.

Today, we ask the Texas EMS community to answer the call for Herstle.

Please keep Herstle and the entire Sacred Cross EMS family in your thoughts and prayers, and please share this post so we can reach first responders and EMS organizations across Texas.

08/18/2026

08/12/2026

TAA AT THE TABLE FOR TEXAS EMS 🚑 🚑 🚑 🚑 🚑 🚑 🚑 🚑

Advocacy means showing up — and making sure the voices of Texas ambulance providers are heard.

On Nov. 14, 2025, the Texas Ambulance Association, along with Alacura executives met with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to advocate for improved Medicaid ambulance reimbursement. The meeting was facilitated by Sen. César Blanco and Rep. Joe Moody.

Texas Medicaid ambulance reimbursement was subsequently increased — an important step toward strengthening emergency medical services and protecting access to care across the state.

TAA is grateful to Sen. Blanco and Rep. Joe Moody for their leadership and support in bringing these important conversations forward.

For TAA, the work continues.

We remain committed to being at the table with state leaders, HHSC and industry partners — advocating for sustainable reimbursement and ensuring Texas ambulance providers have a strong voice in the decisions that affect the communities they serve.

Showing up. Speaking up. Advocating for Texas EMS.

08/11/2026

REGISTER NOW!

08/05/2026

🚑 TAA Webinar: Getting Paid Right 🚑

August 25 | Noon CT | 50 Minutes

Are your wage and compensation practices compliant?

Wage and compensation mistakes are among the most costly legal exposures EMS agencies face. With complex scheduling, multiple pay rates, stipends, differentials, bonuses, and unique overtime scenarios, payroll compliance can be more challenging than many leaders realize.

Join the Texas Ambulance Association for an important webinar that will help EMS leaders:

✅ Understand FLSA requirements for EMS operations
✅ Navigate multiple pay rates and weighted-average overtime calculations
✅ Avoid compliance pitfalls involving stipends, bonuses, travel time, training hours, and standby time
✅ Identify legal risks that can lead to lawsuits, penalties, and back-pay liability
✅ Implement practical strategies that support compliance and workforce morale

This session is ideal for: • EMS Executives
• Finance & Payroll Leaders
• HR Professionals
• Operations Leaders

💲 Members: $49
💲 Non-Members: $99

🔗 Register today:
https://ccst.wufoo.com/forms/s7cnqjx1xsb9zp/

Don't wait until a payroll audit or lawsuit exposes costly errors. Gain the knowledge and tools needed to ensure your organization is paying employees accurately, fairly, and legally.

07/28/2026

The Texas Ambulance Association is proud to recognize Representative Joe Moody of the Texas House of Representatives with the Vanguard Award in appreciation of his support of Emergency Medical Services and the ambulance industry throughout Texas.

Representative Moody's leadership and commitment to advancing EMS have made a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. His efforts, including facilitating productive dialogue between the Texas Ambulance Association and HHSC, have helped strengthen collaboration and support for critical ambulance services across the state.

From time to time, the Texas Ambulance Association has the privilege of recognizing individuals or organizations whose extraordinary contributions have benefited the ambulance industry through visionary leadership, innovation, and dedication to progress. These qualities define the spirit of the Vanguard Award.

Congratulations, Representative Moody, and thank you for your outstanding service to the people of Texas and the EMS profession.

07/16/2026

TAA is working hard on behalf of our members to address insurance challenges and advocate for solutions that support ambulance services across Texas. We remain committed to protecting our industry and the patients we serve.

06/05/2026

This past week, the Texas House Public Health Committee held an interim hearing to review the implementation of several measures passed during the 89th Regular Session, including House Bill 3000. The legislation established a grant program designed to provide financial assistance to qualified ambulance service providers serving certain rural counties across Texas.

During the hearing, Brett Coghlan, President of the Texas Ambulance Association, expressed the association’s appreciation for the state’s investment in rural emergency medical services. He emphasized that these resources will help communities establish and sustain vital ambulance services that are critical to the chain of survival and emergency response in rural Texas. The Texas Ambulance Association visited legislative offices as well and appreciates the time and consideration of our lawmakers.

As implementation continues, we look forward to working with legislative leadership and stakeholders on potential improvements and refinements to the program during the 90th Regular Session.

To view the testimony and committee discussion on HB 3000, begin at the 1:03:00:

https://house.texas.gov/videos/22705?utm_source=chatgpt.com