Articles
Answering the Call: HCC and HFD build Houston’s next generation of Fire Service professionals
Apr 6, 2026
In Fall 2025, Zamar Jefferson packed up and drove cross-country from Los Angeles to Houston with one goal in mind: to build a career in fire service. Determined to turn that ambition into action, he applied to the Houston Fire Department (HFD) and enrolled in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program at Houston City College (HCC).
“I knew 100 percent that being a firefighter is what I wanted to do with my life,” said Jefferson. After submitting applications to more than 100 departments nationwide, he received one response––from Houston. “When the Houston Fire Department opened that door, I saw it as my chance. If they were willing to give me a shot at my dream, I was willing to take it.”
A Partnership Built on Purpose
Since 2022, HCC has been training the next generation of cadets to enter HFD through a formal partnership with the City of Houston. Under this agreement, HCC has educated between 320 and 400 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) students a year, with class sizes ranging from 65 to 80 students.
The EMS program, which includes an EMT Basic certification as one of its core components, ranks number one in Texas, a distinction driven by rigorous instruction and an unwavering focus on student outcomes. Once students reach their certification exams, HCC consistently maintains a 97 to 100 percent pass rate, a standard the program continues to uphold.
“The EMS program represents the very best of what Houston City College stands for: excellence in instruction, strong partnerships and a deep commitment to student success,” said HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “Our graduates are not only highly trained, but they are also prepared to serve and lead in one of the most critical professions in our community.”
Leadership That Goes the Extra Mile
HCC’s commitment to student success is evident in the stories of those who have come through the program. Samaria Jackson graduated in December 2025 and is now a probationary firefighter at a Houston area station that handles a high volume of EMS calls. One of just three women in her cadet class, Jackson’s journey reflects both the program’s rigor and resilience it demands.
“It’s very challenging mentally, physically and emotionally,” Jackson explained. “You have to keep on going––persevere and remember that the practice and training you’re getting is preparing you for the real-life situation you will face as a firefighter.”
At the heart of that preparation is the EMT Basic course, widely considered the toughest component of the program. Captain Fred Chambers, a longtime instructor and HFD veteran, has dedicated himself to making sure students have every tool they need to succeed—including offering voluntary four-hour tutoring sessions every Saturday morning to reinforce critical skills and concepts.
“Student success is my ultimate goal,” said Chambers. “I see young adults grow up. I see their whole mindset change, and I see their perspectives on life change. That is so rewarding.”
The results speak for themselves. Since the partnership was formalized, approximately 75 percent of Houston Firefighters have gone through the program. Today, aspiring firefighters must earn two certifications––EMT Basic and Firefighting, to enter the profession. HCC trains students for both, giving graduates credentials that allow them to work anywhere in Texas.
HFD Assistant Chief Michael Brown, a graduate from 2000, now helps oversee the program. He credits HCC leadership and adaptability for significant improvements in student outcomes. When students struggled with the National Registry exam, Brown worked with HCC to extend the didactic portion of the program from six to eight weeks––a change he says, “sent the passing rate through the roof.” For Brown, the ultimate reward comes on graduation day.
“You see these students show up on day one with no clue what to expect,” he said. “They make sacrifices for nine months––up at four in the morning, at the academy by 5 a.m., working out, then in class until 4 p.m. The day we put those badges on them and welcome them to the family––that’s the best feeling in the world.”
That sense of pride runs deep throughout the program’s leadership. Alvin Collins, Ph.D., dean of the HCC Public Safety Center of Excellence, is a graduate of the program, in which he now directs.
“We have an exceptional facility for EMS, offering top-notch training with state-of-the-art equipment that attracts aspiring professionals in the field,” Collins proudly noted. “If you want great training in EMS, we have the program for you.”
As the demand for EMS and fire professionals continues to grow nationwide, HCC remains a critical training pipeline for the region’s public safety workforce. With comprehensive training, guaranteed career pathways through HFD and instructors deeply invested in student success, HCC continues to prepare students not just for a career, but for a calling.
For Jefferson, now with certificate in hand and advancing through fire school, that calling brought him nearly 1,500 miles from home. And the support he’s found since arriving has made every mile worth it.
“The support we get from the instructors is constant,” Jefferson added. “They guide us in the direction we need to go and push us to reach our full potential. That commitment is what this education is all about.”
To learn more about the HCC EMS program, visit hccs.edu/EMS.