About — Austin EMS Association

About Austin EMS Association

Through the unified voice of the AEMSA, we empower medics to advocate for a rewarding, safe, and healthy career with strong benefits and foster the practice of progressive medicine.

Association Presidents

James Monks: 2024–present
Selena Xie: 2019–2023
Anthony Marquardt: 2015–2018
Steve Stewart: 2011–2014
Chebon Tiger: 2007–2010
Randy Vickery: 2005–2006
Jason Martin: 2001–2004
Dave Donnelly
Nolan Lujan
Vance Kirkhuff
Dave Williams

Association Accomplishments

Union Activity

2011 – EMS Civil Service placed on the ballot
2012 – Voters approve EMS Civil Service for the City of Austin in the November 6th election
2017–2025 – Worked with City leadership to add 8 ambulances over 8 years
2019 – Executives and BOD vote to rename the Association to the “Austin EMS Association”
2025 – Association Workforce Committee collaborates with the department to adjust scheduling policies and develop an on-duty relief schedule for ambulance crews

Legislative

2007 – SB1104/HB1079 – EMS Meet and Confer – passed through the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry
2011 – HB554/SB1351 – EMS personnel from 3rd-service providers included in TLGC 143 – Municipal Civil Service for Firefighters and Police Officers
2025 – HB1105 – EMS tuition exemption for employees of municipal EMS systems – passed through the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott

Litigation

Mid 1990s – EMS employees win their lawsuit against the City of Austin for violation of FLSA overtime pay law
2004 – Association supports District Commanders suing the City of Austin over illegal overtime pay (resolved in 2014)
2005 – EMS employees win their second lawsuit against the City of Austin for violation of overtime pay law, changing the workweek from 56 hours to 48 hours
2018 – Association wins its lawsuit against the City of Austin on behalf of members over the illegal removal of accrued benefit time
2025 – Association files suit against the City of Austin on behalf of Division Chiefs over lack of on-call status and pay; arbitrator sides with the City

Negotiations

2008 – First contract negotiation between the Association and the City of Austin
2013 – Second contract negotiation; first contract negotiated under Civil Service
2018 – Third contract negotiation
2022 – Fourth contract negotiation, resulting in a 1-year extension of the prior agreement
2023 – Fifth contract negotiation, resulting in a 4-year contract that raised starting pay for medics by 25%
2024 – Sixth contract negotiation, covering OCMO integration into ATCEMS; secured parental leave for all medics