EMS History
A look at the history and evolution of emergency medical services in South Texas.
South Texas Emergency Care Foundation History
Incorporated in January of 1979 to provide pre-hospital emergency services, the Foundation has grown dramatically over more than four decades and is now one of the largest non-profit EMS/air medical programs in the State of Texas.
Harlingen citizens, led by a group of prominent local leaders created the system as a community based EMS program. Valley Baptist Medical Center played a key role by training the Paramedics, providing medical control and some of the advanced equipment, such as defibrillators, for the ambulances.
From the earliest days, the citizens decided that the new program would be a non-profit service, which would be governed by a Board of Directors comprised of local community leaders. The system would provide Emergency Medical Services to the cities and County.
The community effort paid off with the commencement of service on July 1st, 1979. The new service had become the first "Paramedic" level service in deep South Texas.
Today, STECF-EMS continues to operate as a highly sophisticated EMSS serving more than 162,000 people across roughly 542 square miles in Cameron County. The Foundation remains steadfast as a trailblazer in the industry for leadership and achievements in patient care, maintaining a modernized fleet with state-of-the-art technology, and diligently contributing to public education, vocational training, research, and community service.
Emergency medicine changes constantly. The ability to change medical and operational protocols to fit in with the comprehensive overall health care scheme of the local medical community is vital to keeping the system on the "cutting edge" of pre-hospital care. The success of the EMS program has proven that a community-based system can be developed to serve the citizen community while at the same time being responsive to the changing requirements and needs of the medical community.
Our Story
Key Milestones
More than four decades of growth in pre-hospital care across Cameron County.
1979
Incorporated in January; service commenced July 1st as the first Paramedic-level service in deep South Texas.
1980s
Expanded coverage to Rio Hondo, Rancho Viejo, San Benito, Santa Rosa, and La Feria.
1991
In recognition of underutilized local resources, STECF-EMS collaborated with local emergency response agencies to establish “First Responder” programs.
1995
The Foundation’s fixed wing air medical division, Valley AirCare, began operation. In the same year, long-distance ground transfer services began.
1998
The critical care transport division began operations.
1999
The Medical Advisory Committee was established as a resource for professional advice and oversight of medical issues and to assist with training.
2002
MedCom, the Foundation’s communication center, begins operations.
2006
The Foundation adopted a corporate compliance plan and increased training and education for all employees in compliance issues.
2010
Certification of billing personnel as Certified Ambulance Coders.
2011
Recognized as one of the largest non-profit EMS/air medical programs in Texas.
2020
The Foundation’s newest division, the Community Health Paramedicine program, began operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022
The Foundation significantly advanced its clinical capabilities with the purchase of epoc® Blood Analysis Systems, state-of-the-art equipment capable of delivering thirteen lab-accurate results in under one minute at the patient’s bedside.
2023
The Foundation’s mobile laboratory achieved COLA accreditation, placing STECF-EMS among an elite group — less than 2% of EMS providers in Texas — meeting this advanced standard.
2023 – 2024
The Foundation employed 97 personnel including Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Community Health Paramedics, Registered Nurses, Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs), Flight Medical Personnel, Administrative and Clerical staff, a Certified Electronics Technician, an Inventory Control Specialist, a Patient Accounts Supervisor, a Human Resources Director and an Accountant.
2025
Cameron County PSAPs answered 292,223 emergency calls to 9-1-1.
2025
The Community Health Paramedicine (CHP) program completed more than 635 responses to some of the most vulnerable members of our service area.