By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Chyanne Brake, APU Alumna
Working in emergency services demands quick decision-making, the ability to stay calm under pressure and a deep commitment to helping those in need. American Public University (APU) alumna Chyanne Brake embodies all these qualities. Through her work in emergency management services (EMS), Chyanne is dedicated to improving the safety and resilience of her community.
Learning the Importance of Emergency Services
Growing up in Aledo, Texas, public safety was a normal part of her life. With a firefighter father, Chyanne spent a lot of time around fire stations and seeing the day-to-day side of the job.
“Being around that so early definitely shaped how I viewed service and the kind of work I wanted to do later,” Chyanne says.
After graduating from high school, she enrolled at Weatherford College. Chyanne earned three associate degrees – including an associate degree in emergency medical service – while completing the college’s paramedic program. As valedictorian of her class, she credits these foundational experiences for setting her on a clear professional path.
“My time in school really laid the groundwork for the career path I’m on now,” she adds.
Chyanne originally chose APU due to its online courses and flexibility, which enabled her to take as many courses as she wanted each semester. She earned a bachelor’s degree in emergency and disaster management in August 2024.
“That structure fit me perfectly. I’ve always thrived in fast-paced environments, especially while working full time. I absolutely loved the program and was able to complete my bachelor’s degree in under two years,” she continues.
Dedication to Continuing Her Education
After Chyanne finished her bachelor’s, she took a couple of years away from school to focus on her career. When she decided to return for a master’s degree in emergency and disaster management, choosing APU again was an easy decision.
“I already knew the style of learning worked well for me, and the fully online format made it possible to balance graduate school with a demanding EMS and emergency management workload. I completed my master’s degree in just under two years as well, and the flexibility, support, and structure of APU made that achievable.
“Overall, my experience with APU has been incredibly positive. The programs matched the pace I naturally work at, and the online format allowed me to keep progressing academically without stepping back from my career. APU has been a huge part of my educational journey, and I’m grateful for how well it fit my goals and learning style,” she explains.
Leading Emergency Services Management
Chyanne first began her career as a traditional paramedic, spending several years on an ambulance gaining hands-on field experience. She later worked in a pediatric emergency department, broadening her clinical skills.
Her career took a pivotal turn when she transitioned to a rural area that offered emergency management services.
“In rural EMS, you truly see the impact of your care because the transport times are longer and you’re often the highest level of care your patient will see for quite a while. It gave me a deeper appreciation for system level preparedness and how much it matters,” she notes.
Exposure to emergency management complemented her EMS experience and quickly became another professional passion.
“I dove into every emergency management course I could and have deployed to several large-scale incidents across Texas. I found that my sweet spot is in the Planning Section, building structures out of chaos, coordinating resources, and setting up teams for success.”
At just 30 years old, Chyanne now serves as the EMS Chief and Emergency Management Director for Hamilton Hospital in Texas. Stepping into such significant leadership roles so early in her career has been both meaningful and transformative.
She credits APU for helping her prepare for these responsibilities.
“That transition was much smoother because of the education I received through APU. The structure, pace, and real-world focus of my programs gave me the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills I needed to walk into these roles fully prepared.
“APU played a big part in helping me reach this point, and I’m grateful for how well it positioned me for leadership.”
Advice to Future EMS Students
Chyanne believes in helping younger generations to understand the importance of emergency services. She is especially interested in encouraging other women to enter the EMS field. “Don’t shrink yourself to fit the room,” she advises.
“EMS and emergency management are fast-paced, high-pressure and often male-dominated. It can be intimidating walking into spaces where you might be the only woman at the table, but don’t let that make you smaller.
“Your voice, your perspective and your abilities matter. Confidence isn’t about knowing everything – it’s about trusting that you belong there and showing up consistently.”
She also encourages continuous learning.
“Be relentless in your learning. This career requires constant growth. Take every class, training, deployment and opportunity you can, especially the ones that push you out of your comfort zone.
“The more knowledge and experience you build, the harder it becomes for anyone to overlook you. Your competence becomes your strongest advocate, and it opens doors you didn’t even know were there.”
Her final piece of advice focuses on patient service. In moments where emergency services are needed, professionalism always improves that situation.
“Lead with empathy and professionalism. Technical skill will get you started in emergency services, but character is what will carry you forward, especially as a woman in leadership. Treat people well, stay grounded and maintain high standards for yourself and the people around you.”
About the Author
John Robert Morton is a Student & Alumni Affairs Liaison and has been with the University for 16 years. His bachelor’s degree in European history is from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He also completed master’s degrees in political science and sports management from American Military University. As a liaison, John Robert enjoys helping students and alumni achieve their personal and professional goals.
About Our Department
The AMU and APU Alumni Affairs Office is dedicated to sustaining lifelong relationships with university alumni by providing engaging opportunities to stay involved and connected. We work closely with various stakeholders to strengthen the alumni experience and offer numerous benefits, services, activities, and events throughout the year.
As a team, the Alumni Affairs team works to build and sustain relationships with alumni along their personal and professional journeys. We actively look for ways to recognize and showcase alumni, telling their stories to motivate and encourage students to pursue their goals.
If you are an alumni community member and looking for ways to remain actively involved, please get in touch with alumni@apus.edu and speak with a team member.
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