The Permian Strategic Partnership’s $1.5 million investment will expand access to certification academies, advanced training, and specialized courses for first responders across the region
MIDLAND, Texas (September 22, 2026) – As the Permian Basin continues to face a shortage of certified firefighters and first responders, the Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) is partnering with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) on a $1.5 million initiative to expand firefighter and first responder training across the Texas Permian Basin. The PSP investment over four years will help to accelerate training, increase the number of certified firefighters, expand access to advanced and specialized training – including training for vehicle crash responses- and strengthen the region’s first responder workforce.
“First responders are essential to the safety and health of our community,” said Tracee Bentley, President and CEO of the PSP. “We are honored to invest in the dedicated first responders who serve our communities. The TEEX training program will help remove barriers for firefighters and first responders to earn their certifications, give certified firefighters access to specialty and advanced training, and continue to increase safety in the Permian Basin.”
Through the partnership, TEEX will expand its existing regional training program, bringing firefighter certification academies, advanced and specialized training classes, and conferences to the Permian Basin. The PSP’s investment will help hire a local adjunct instructor to coordinate training, fund fire academies and other training classes, and expand access to training facilities. The program will be available to students across 19 Texas counties, helping local departments build a larger pool of certified firefighters and giving current first responders greater access to training close to home.
“Providing firefighters with adequate training and facilities is critical to delivering a higher level of fire safety throughout the region” said Chris Angerer, Division Director of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. “TEEX is proud to partner with the PSP to invest in first responders in the Permian Basin and ensure they have access to the training and resources they need to continue to keep our communities safe.”
The expanded program is expected to train approximately 200 participants annually, with a focus on fire academies and first-on-scene skills needed during vehicle crashes. Certification-level training will support firefighters working toward Texas Commission on Fire Protection requirements, which include 474 hours of firefighter training and 40 hours of recognized emergency medical training.
About the Permian Strategic Partnership: The Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) is a coalition of 26 leading Permian Basin energy companies and two university systems who have joined together to work in partnership with leaders across the region’s communities to address current and future challenges to the responsible development of the vast oil and natural gas resources of the Permian Basin in the states of New Mexico and Texas. The PSP members are BPX Energy, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Coterra Energy, Crescent Energy, Deep Blue, Devon Energy, Diamondback Energy, Energy Transfer, EOG Resources, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Helmerich & Payne, Kinetik, Liberty Energy, Mewbourne Oil Company, Occidental, Oncor, Ovintiv, Permian Resources, Phillips 66, Plains All American, ProPetro, SLB, Targa Resources, The Texas Tech University System, The University of Texas System, WaterBridge Resources, and Western Midstream. For more information, visit www.permianpartnership.org.