AC’s First Responders Academy Set to Host Open House 

Designed to bring critical public safety disciplines together under a single roof, Amarillo College’s First Responders Academy is inviting the public to an open house from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10. 

Amarillo College’s First Responders Academy, which opened in 2024, serves as an essential hub for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Fire Protection Technology training.

“The new First Responders Academy at Amarillo College is a game-changer for our region,” said Eric Wallace, AC’s director of Public Service Programs. “With state-of-the-art training equipment and a collaborative learning environment, we are better preparing police, fire, and EMS students with the hands-on skills they need to serve our community. We also want to open our doors and invite the community to see what we have to offer, while welcoming anyone who may be interested in joining one of our programs.”

AC trains over 98% of all first responders throughout the Texas Panhandle, making AC’s programs crucial to the region. By bringing this training together, the Academy fosters collaborative cross-training opportunities that are crucial to the future of first responder training.

The state–of–the–art facility sits at 3891 Plains Boulevard, close to Amarillo Independent School District’s AmTech Career Academy.

“This has enabled us to work with high school students who already know they want to serve the public,” Wallace said. “Our location is ideal.” 

The open house will include tours, refreshments, and giveaways.