Welcome
The Austin-Travis County EMS Special Events Division is dedicated to keeping our community safe during Austin’s most celebrated gatherings. From cross-city events such as marathons, to enclosed venues like music festivals and sporting events, and more, our team ensures timely medical response and coordination.
By providing on-site coverage, we limit the impact on the citywide 911 system and deliver faster Advanced Life Support (ALS) response directly within event areas. The Special Events Team also works inside unified command posts with other public safety agencies to support incident command and operational decision-making.
The Special Events Commander serves as the EMS representative and ACE Manager for the Austin Center for Events (ACE). ACE is the City of Austin’s interdepartmental team that reviews permit applications and coordinates planning for special events across the city.
What We Offer
The Special Events Division provides a wide range of specialized EMS resources to support event safety and operations:
Specialized EMS Assets
- Special Response Units (SRUs) - A Polaris/UTV vehicles equipped with a stretcher
- Motor Paramedics
Command Support
- Mobile command posts
- Department trailers for field coordination
- Communications Medics dedicated to event dispatching
- Logistical support for large-scale events
What We Do Not Provide
- First aid or medical tents
- First aid or medical tables
Planning Tools & Resources
Event organizers should begin coordination as early as possible. To ensure proper planning and resource availability, we strongly recommend at least one month’s notice prior to your event.
Event organizers can access the following tools to help determine their EMS coverage needs:
Current Fee Schedule (set by the Austin City Council)
- A one-time $145 Set-up/Take-down Fee applies per event
- All standbys require a 4-hour minimum commitment
EMS Standby Matrix — a guide to what types of events require EMS standby and what types do not
ACE Event Applications: Austin Center for Events
Contact Us
For event planning and standby service requests, please contact: