First responders for 50 years: EMS celebrated for life-saving service
Director retires, partnerships grow
Williamson County Emergency Medical Services celebrates 50 years of providing pre-hospital care to Williamson County residents in 2025.
County officials approved the resolution that recognized the milestone during the January 7 Commissioners Court meeting.
“It is a milestone that reflects five decades of unwavering dedication to innovation and service to our community,” EMS Director Mike Knipstein said.
When the agency started in 1975, the department had 16 employees and four ambulances. Today, WCEMS currently has 177 employees with 25 response resources. John Sneed, the prior director of emergency services, said Wilco’s EMS program is now state-recognized, nationally recognized and American Heart Association-recognized.
“I just want to thank you all for continuing to support this amazing service that we provide for our citizens who would have ever thought that 50 years,” he said to commissioners. “It touches me that you still support this program with the passion that you do.”
Williamson County’s original Medical Director Dr. Steven Behold was present at the meeting. He told the court that Wilco EMS was so “shoestring” with three ambulances that paramedics used to use funeral home hearses and minivans for emergencies.
“It was sort of a conflict of interest,” he said. “As I look back on my life and the things that I have done in my life and career, I think probably at the very top is the 32 years that I was the medical director of the Williamson County EMS, and it was because of working with the most dedicated, eager, bright, competent young people I've ever worked with in my life.”
To celebrate, WCEMS will host several events throughout the year. WCEMS kicked off its golden anniversary by partnering with We Are Blood for a blood drive on Wednesday, January 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Wilco’s North Campus building, 3189 SE Inner Loop, in Georgetown. The blood drive is part of a competition hosted by We Are Blood for National Blood Donor Month in January to see which organization can get the most blood donations.
We Are Blood spokesperson Nick Candeo told the Sun that Wilco EMS officially launched their whole blood partnership with We Are Blood in November 2023. The program allows paramedics to carry blood on their vehicles and perform transfusions for patients before they arrive at a hospital.
“We are grateful for Wilco EMS’s partnership and their advocacy for a strong community blood supply in Central Texas,” he said. “They carry blood donated at We Are Blood and often share publicly about the importance of donating blood with We Are Blood.”
WCEMS is looking to teach 50 Take 10 CPR classes throughout the year to local businesses and nonprofits. If residents are interested in having WCEMS instructors teach your employees or volunteers, please email EMS-Public.Education@wilco.org.
Additionally, a 5K run at River Ranch County Park will be held in the fall. WCEMS will also host a Trunk or Treat event featuring first responder vehicles from WilCo and other local agencies on October 18, as part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations. According to the county, more details about these events will be released at a later time.
“As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we also look forward to the future,” Mr. Knipstein said. “The challenges we face as a community will continue to evolve, but one thing that remains certain is this EMS department will be there, ready to respond, to innovate and to lead to everyone that has contributed to this legacy, both past and present.”
Last November, Mr. Knipstein announced he will retire after 30 years of service to the county, eight of which he served as director. Mr. Knipstein is scheduled to leave the county at the end of January.
“You know, it’s hard to keep anything going that long at a level of excellence,” Commissioner Valerie Covey said. “Of course, the batons have been passed down. And Mike, we're sorry to see you leave at the end of the month, but you've established a community and relationship, but also a team that expects excellence and demands it, and .. it will continue, no matter how many batons are passed to, as long as that's the expectation.”
Temple College partnership
After the recognition, Williamson County Commissioners approved an Education Affiliation Agreement between Williamson County and Temple College.
According to county documents, the agreement will allow Temple College EMS students to do rides under the supervision of Williamson County EMS medics. Temple College will be in charge of student education and liability and the County will provide the resources and space for students to gain experience, according to the contract.
“Things may be more expensive, they may be more complicated, or the community may be rapidly growing, medicine may be changing, but the one common consistency has been the people who turn that siren on and respond to that call each and every day,” County Judge Bill Gravell said. “I think we have the best in America.”
For more information about WCEMS, residents can visit www.wilcotx.gov/ems or follow the department on its Facebook and X @PreparingWilco.