Open class · Limited seats
Armed First Responder course in Yoakum, October 13–15, 2026
A 28-hour initial course hosted by Yoakum Fire/EMS, with a limited number of seats open to paid fire and EMS personnel from any Texas department.
- Dates October 13–15, 2026 Tuesday–Thursday
- Location Yoakum, Texas Hosted by Yoakum Fire/EMS
- Fee $625 Per participant
Class details
- Dates
- October 13–15, 2026
- Length
- 28 hours, 3 days
- Location
- Yoakum, Texas
- Host
- Yoakum Fire/EMS
- Instructor
- Bryan Proctor
- Fee
- $625 per participant
This is the 28-hour initial course built on Texas Government Code §411.1883, taught over 3 consecutive days (Tuesday–Thursday) and including a low-light shooting session. Seats are limited. The classroom and range addresses and the daily schedule go to confirmed participants.
Your instructor is Bryan Proctor, one of the first twelve instructors in Texas certified to provide this first-responder program.
Who can register
- Paid Texas fire and EMS personnel. Penal Code §46.01 defines a first responder as a public safety employee whose duties include responding rapidly to an emergency, including fire protection and emergency medical services personnel. The definition excludes volunteer emergency services personnel, EMS volunteers, and peace officers performing law-enforcement duties.
- A current Texas License to Carry a Handgun.
- Sound handgun fundamentals before day one. This is an intermediate to advanced course, not a beginner class.
Completing the course does not by itself authorize anyone to carry on duty. Under Local Government Code Chapter 179, on-duty carry also depends on whether the chapter applies to your municipality or county, a policy adopted by your department, your License to Carry, an unexpired certificate of completion, and required liability insurance. Talk with your department before you register, and see Eligibility & Texas Law.
What the course covers
Classroom training in self-defense, de-escalation, tactical thinking about cover and concealment, secure carry, restraint holsters, and the consequences of improper use of a handgun, plus procedures for securing and storing a handgun where carrying is prohibited. On the range:
- Instinctive or reactive shooting
- Tactical shooting
- Shooting while moving
- Low-light shooting
- Physical demonstrations of proficiency
- Day 1 written pre-test
- 90% to continue
- Day 1 proficiency
- 90% to continue
- Day 3 post-test
- 90% to pass
Completion is not guaranteed. Participants who miss the day-one marks do not continue. Full course and readiness details.
What to bring
Each participant brings the following, including at least 400 rounds.
Handgun
- Handgun chambered in .38 / .380 or larger, in good working condition. A semi-automatic with at least a 10-round magazine capacity is strongly recommended.
- At least three magazines or two speed loaders.
- No optical sights (scopes, lasers, or holographic sights).
- Handguns are subject to instructor inspection before and during training, and are transported in a closed case or bag.
Ammunition
- A minimum of 400 rounds of appropriate training ammunition. Bringing extra is recommended.
Holster
- A belt or paddle holster that retains the handgun with a mechanism or enough friction to overcome gravity.
- No shoulder or cross-draw holsters, and no holsters released with the index (trigger) finger.
Handheld flashlight
- A duty-grade LED handheld light: at least 200 lumens (500 or more preferred), no longer than six inches, with a tail-cap switch.
- Spare batteries. If the light is rechargeable, bring a second light as a backup.
- A weapon-mounted light is optional; bring a holster that fits it.
Protection and range wear
- Over-the-ear hearing protection and eye protection (clear lenses required; tinted optional).
- Collared shirt, long pants, closed-toe footwear, and a brimmed cap.
- Inclement-weather gear appropriate to the season.
- A hand towel to rest handguns and ammunition on during qualification.
After the class
- Within five business days of the class, the instructor reports each participant’s results to DPS (LTC-10).
- The instructor and participant complete the proof-of-training form (LTC-103).
- The participant emails LTC-103 to DPS with the certification application (LTC-103A) and official documentation of their first-responder status.
- DPS issues the certificate of completion, valid for one year.
DPS—not the program—issues the certificate of completion.
Register
- Send the form below, one per participant.
- We confirm your seat and send an invoice for the $625 fee. Confirmed participants also receive the classroom and range addresses and the daily schedule.
- Arrive ready, with your License to Carry, your equipment, and your ammunition.
No refunds once a seat is confirmed and invoiced, due to logistical requirements and the limited class size.
Want a private class for your department?
We also bring the course to your own classroom and range, anywhere in Texas. Tell us about your department and we will prepare a quote.