Deputy Director | Medina County 911 Emergency Communications District
Medina County, Texas

Executive Recruitment Conducted by AP Triton Consulting

Application Period: September 18–October 18, 2026

AP Triton Consulting is conducting the executive recruitment on behalf of the Medina County 911 Emergency Communications District for its next Deputy Director.

Medina County is experiencing significant population, residential, commercial, and infrastructure growth as development continues westward from the San Antonio metropolitan area. With that growth comes increasing demands on the County’s 911 emergency communications system and the need for additional leadership capacity to support the District’s continued development.

This is a senior District leadership position and is distinct from a dispatch or communications center management role. The Deputy Director will work closely with the current Executive Director, gaining direct experience in the management and administration of the District in preparation for potentially succeeding to the Executive Director position upon the incumbent’s retirement.

Key areas of responsibility include District governance and Board coordination, budgeting and financial planning, relationships with County officials and public safety partners, telecommunications systems and rate structures, GIS management, grant administration, equipment and facilities management, capital funding, and supervision of administrative staff.

The ideal candidate will bring progressively responsible experience in business administration, public administration, emergency communications management, financial administration, or a related field, along with strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.

Compensation: The anticipated starting salary is $75,000–$90,000, depending on qualifications, plus competitive benefits. Compensation may be reevaluated upon transition to the Executive Director role following the current Director’s retirement. Interested candidates are encouraged to discuss compensation expectations during the recruitment process.

To Apply:
AP Triton is receiving application materials on behalf of Medina County 911 Emergency Communications District.

Submit a cover letter, completed application, resume, and any relevant supporting materials electronically to:

Melissa Vazquez Swank
Director of Operations
AP Triton Consulting
mswank@aptriton.com

Recruitment questions should also be directed to Melissa Vazquez Swank at mswank@aptriton.com.

Applications must be received by October 18, 2026.

Please review the attached recruitment brochure, job description, application, and benefits information for additional details about the position and Medina County 911 Emergency Communications District.

The Ground Emergency Medical Transportation (GEMT) program is a cornerstone federal Medicaid supplemental reimbursement mechanism operating under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Its purpose is straightforward: to bridge the documented gap between what Medicaid pays for emergency ambulance transport and what it actually costs public agencies to provide that service. Without GEMT, those unreimbursed costs fall on local taxpayers through cost-shifting, an outcome that contradicts the shared federal-state Medicaid compact.

On May 20, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), docket CMS-2449-P, that would cap targeted Medicaid supplemental payments, including GEMT, at the equivalent Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule (AFS) rates. If finalized, this rule would systematically dismantle the financial foundation of emergency medical services for public agencies nationwide, with no demonstrated basis in fraud, waste, or program abuse by GEMT participants.

The report linked here presents a comprehensive history of the GEMT program. It includes a detailed analysis of CMS-2449-P and a structured opposition argument grounded in law, program design, financial equity, and public safety outcomes.

Key Facts at a Glance

• GEMT is authorized under Title XIX of the Social Security Act; the same authority as CPE and IGTprograms.
• All GEMT participants are governmental entities, tribal governments, or entities with taxing authority, but excludes private companies.
• Reimbursement is based entirely on audited, CMS-approved cost reports, not estimates or projections.
• No fraud, waste, or abuse has been documented against GEMT public providers.
• The proposed rule would cap supplemental payments at Medicare AFS rates, effective January 1, 2029.
• Volunteer, rural, and small agencies face disproportionate harm as they have higher costs and lower commercial offset ability.
• Comment deadline: July 21, 2026.

DOWNLOAD GEMT PROGRAM REPORT

Vacaville Fire Chief Kris Concepcion facilitated a community meeting last week to provide an overview of the recently launched Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover Deployment Analysis and gather community input about how the department can maximize resources and improve service delivery.

​​Concepcion said this critical study – which is being conducted by AP Triton – will provide essential recommendations for optimum staffing, deployment of firefighting and emergency medical service resources, and the appropriate level of service for the soon-to-be six stations within the city.

Read more

A study by AP Triton LLC has recommended merging three Vermont fire departments-Bellows Falls, Rockingham, and Saxtons River-into a single, district-wide department. This was discussed at a joint meeting involving the Rockingham Selectboard, Bellows Falls Village Trustees, and Saxtons River Village Trustees. The study, which included surveys and facility assessments, presented options that the boards have referred to the Rockingham Fire Equipment Committee for further consideration. Currently, Rockingham and Saxtons River departments are volunteer-based, while Bellows Falls has paid, on-call firefighters.

Read more here

Congratulations to Sonoma County Fire District, Fire Chief Mark Heine and his staff on the Grand Opening of their emergency operations center! The District’s new Exclusive Operating Area #1 contract goes into effect on January 16, and Sonoma County Fire District will roll out its new 911 ambulance services, providing emergency ground response in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and much of central Sonoma County.

Attending Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremony were (l to r): Deputy Chief Steve Herzberg, Deputy Chief Robert Johnson, Medic Ambulance President Jimmy Pierson, Fire Chief Mark Heine, AP Triton owner/partner Scott Clough, AP Triton owner/partner Kurt Henke, AP Triton Senior Associate Tim Maybee, Deputy Chief Ron Busch, AP Triton Senior Associate Ed Rodriguez, and EMS Division Chief Matt Windrem.

This promises to elevate the emergency response capabilities in Sonoma County, and AP Triton is proud to have been a part of the effort to bring this improvement to reality.

AP Triton is pleased to announce we have been awarded the contract to conduct an RFP for a Dispatch Services Subcontractor for the Redwood Empire Dispatch Communications (REDCOM). REDCOM Dispatch has been serving Sonoma County CA fire and EMS agencies since 2002.  Triton’s team, led by Project Manager Dan Petersen, will begin work immediately and will conduct an analysis of the existing dispatch system, provide recommendations on a go-forward basis, develop an RFP tailored to REDCOM’s specific needs, assist in the evaluation of responses, and make a final recommendation to the JPA’s Board of Directors.

We are thrilled to share that our esteemed partner, Kurt Henke, has been honored with the Leadership Legacy Recognition by the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. This prestigious accolade is a testament to Kurt’s unwavering dedication and impactful leadership in the fire and emergency services industry.

Kurt’s journey with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District was marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to community service. His leadership has not only elevated our team at AP Triton but has also made a significant difference in the lives of those he served during his tenure with the fire district.

This recognition is a well-deserved honor for Kurt, reflecting his exceptional contributions and enduring legacy in the field. We are incredibly proud to have him as a part of the AP Triton family and look forward to continuing our journey together, making a difference in the communities we serve across the country.

Please join us in congratulating Kurt on this remarkable achievement!

Dan Petersen, one of our well-respected Senior Associates, delivered an outstanding presentation, “Righting the Ship and Thriving in Leadership,” during the Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar in San Diego. In his compelling talk, Dan delved into the challenging journey of the Unified Fire Authority in Salt Lake. He shed light on the critical meltdown they faced and the strenuous but successful efforts made to restore trust in the leadership of their 700-member Metro Organization during his tenure as Chief.

Dan’s wealth of experience and knowledge was evident as he discussed the pivotal role of a Fire Chief. He offered invaluable advice on how to flourish in such a leadership position and cautioned about the pitfalls that can render a leader ineffective or even lead to the loss of their position.

His insights were not just based on theory but on real-life challenges and triumphs, making his talk both relatable and inspiring for current and aspiring fire service leaders.

We’re proud of Dan’s contribution to shaping the future of fire service leadership and grateful for his dedication to sharing his experiences and wisdom.

AP Triton partner, Scott Clough, recently delivered an insightful presentation to the Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar on Statewide EMS Issues and the new Public Provider Ground Emergency Medical Transportation (PP-GEMT) Program.

Scott engaged with fire service leaders to discuss critical topics in emergency medical services. His presentation highlighted the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in the EMS landscape, along with an update on the PP-GEMT program.

This session provided valuable insights into how we can enhance emergency medical services statewide. Through Scott’s deep understanding of the EMS ecosystem and expertise, he is able to offer actionable strategies and foster collaborative discussions among the leaders in fire and emergency services.

Events like these are vital for continual improvement and innovation in emergency medical services. We’re proud to contribute to these important conversations. A huge thank you to the California League of Cities for hosting this event and to all the attendees for their commitment to advancing public safety.

December 5, 2023 marked a significant milestone for emergency medical services in San Bernardino County. We are thrilled to share that a remarkable victory was achieved during the Board of Supervisors meeting with the vote of 5-0 to award ambulance contract services to the Consolidated Fire Agencies JPA. AP Triton is the ONLY consulting firm to collaborate with three different fire agencies to deliver such successful results! 

Santa Barbara County Fire Department will begin providing emergency medical services and ambulance response countywide beginning in March 2024, following the vote in September 2023 by the Board of Supervisors. In June 2023, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to award the contract to Sonoma County Fire District for advanced life support ground ambulance services for EOA No. 1, which includes Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and much of central Sonoma County.

Kurt Henke, Principal/Managing Partner of AP Triton, “We are grateful that Sonoma, CON FIRE (San Bernardino County) and Santa Barbara County Fire have put their faith in AP Triton. This was a true partnership and couldn’t have been accomplished without the hard work of these agencies’ Chiefs and staff.”