Washington County honors EMS director Kevin Duramus as he retires after 31 years

The Washington County Commissioners Court opened its Feb. 24 meeting by recognizing Kevin Duramus, who announced his retirement as the county’s EMS director effective March 1 after 31 years with the service. County leadership credited Duramus with expanding care access through strategically located substations, launching an air ambulance program and initiating a rural clinic in Burton that will use telehealth services.

County officials said Duramus moved the department “beyond” industry standards, citing the air ambulance’s role in improving patient outcomes and offsetting operating costs. The judge noted Duramus’s leadership through major emergencies — including floods, hurricanes, severe winter storms and the COVID-19 response — and said Duramus described serving Washington County as “the greatest blessing” in his resignation letter.

Duramus spoke briefly, declining to make a long statement and saying, “I just want to be a little old paramedic in a little town. I think we’ve done that, right? We’ll call it a success.” The court expressed appreciation and noted that Duramus will continue serving the region as Region 8 section chief with the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

The recognition highlighted program-level accomplishments that county officials said will remain after his departure: substations across the county, the air ambulance program and a Burton clinic in development that officials said will improve access through telehealth. No formal action beyond the recognition was required at the meeting.

The court moved on to its regular agenda after the recognition.